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Objective: To evaluate the variability in arterial blood gas (ABG) assessment of pulmonary function with different body positioning in dogs with suspected aspiration pneumonia. Key Findings: The median differences in alveolar–arterial gradient, Pao2, and Paco2 values in different recumbencies were not statistically significantly different, both within patients and across the study population. No difference was noted in ABG values in the subgroups with unilateral or bilateral disease or that were more affected on the right side versus the left side. Significance: This preliminary study provides data that can be used to calculate appropriate sample sizes for subsequent studies investigating the impact of recumbency on pulmonary function in patients with aspiration pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reduced pelvic limb reflexes in dogs with spinal cord injury typically suggests a lesion of the L4‐S3 spinal cord segments. However, pelvic limb reflexes might also be reduced in dogs with a T3‐L3 myelopathy and concurrent spinal shock. Hypothesis/Objectives: We hypothesized that statistical models could be used to identify clinical variables associated with spinal shock in dogs with spinal cord injuries. Animals: Cohort of 59 dogs with T3‐L3 myelopathies and spinal shock and 13 dogs with L4‐S3 myelopathies. Methods: Data used for this study were prospectively entered by partner institutions into the International Canine Spinal Cord Injury observational registry between October 2016 and July 2019. Univariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between independent variables and the presence of spinal shock. Independent variables were selected for inclusion in a multivariable logistic regression model if they had a significant effect (P ≤.1) on the odds of spinal shock in univariable logistic regression. Results: The final multivariable model included the natural log of weight (kg), the natural log of duration of clinical signs (hours), severity (paresis vs paraplegia), and pelvic limb tone (normal vs decreased/absent). The odds of spinal shock decreased with increasing weight (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28, P =.09; confidence interval [CI] 0.07‐1.2), increasing duration (OR = 0.44, P =.02; CI 0.21‐0.9), decreased pelvic limb tone (OR = 0.04, P =.003; CI 0.01‐0.36), and increased in the presence of paraplegia (OR = 7.87, P =.04; CI 1.1‐56.62). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A formula, as developed by the present study and after external validation, could be useful for assisting clinicians in determining the likelihood of spinal shock in various clinical scenarios and aid in diagnostic planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clients are requesting hospice and palliative care for terminally ill patients more frequently. Identifying specific treatment goals, making a care plan that meets patient and client needs, and maintaining open communication are the cornerstones of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case Summary: An 11-year-old male neutered cat was referred to The Ohio State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital after being diagnosed with pleural effusion by a referral veterinarian. After thoracocentesis, analysis of the effusion was consistent with chyle. Echocardiography, radiographs and bloodwork were used to diagnose hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype and left-sided congestive heart failure, suspected to be secondary to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. While initiating medical therapy, repeated thoracocenteses were required. A severe pneumothorax developed, necessitating placement of bilateral thoracostomy tubes. A thoracic CT scan did not reveal a cause for the pneumothorax; therefore, it was suspected to have occurred secondarily to an iatrogenic laceration of the parenchyma during thoracocentesis. An autologous blood patch pleurodesis was considered contraindicated so instead the cat was administered a blood patch using blood from a canine blood donor. The cat's respiratory status remained stable without additional intervention. At 30 h after blood patch pleurodesis, the thoracostomy tubes were removed and thoracic radiographs revealed near resolution of the pleural effusion and pneumothorax. The cat remained subclinical and was discharged from the hospital 48 h after the blood patch pleurodesis. Upon follow-up at 4 and 8 weeks after discharge, the cat was alive and had no complications or adverse reactions from the blood patch pleurodesis., Relevance and Novel Information: This case documents the first report of a xeno-blood patch pleurodesis performed in a cat using blood from a canine donor. The cat had a successful discharge from the hospital with no adverse reactions from the xeno-blood patch pleurodesis., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)