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Background Concern has been raised regarding the potential contributions of veterinary antimicrobial use to increasing levels of resistance in bacteria critically important to human health. Canine pyoderma is a frequent, often recurrent diagnosis in pet dogs, usually attributable to secondary bacterial infection of the skin. Lesions can range in severity based on the location, total area and depth of tissue affected and antimicrobial therapy is recommended for resolution. This study aimed to describe patient signalment, disease characteristics and treatment prescribed in a large number of UK, primary-care canine pyoderma cases and to estimate pyoderma prevalence in the UK vet-visiting canine population. Results Of 54,600 dogs presented to 73 participating practices in 2010, 683 (1.3%) had a pyoderma diagnosis recorded in available electronic patient record (EPR) data. Antimicrobials were dispensed in 97% of cases and most dogs were prescribed systemic therapy (92%). Agents most frequently prescribed were amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefalexin, clindamycin and cefovecin. Systemic antimicrobials were prescribed for fewer than 14 days in around 40% of study cases reviewed in detail. Prescribed daily doses were below minimum recommended daily dose (MRDD) in 26% of 43 dogs with sufficient information for calculation of minimum dose. Conclusions Antimicrobial prescribing behaviour for treatment of canine pyoderma was variable but frequently appeared inconsistent with current recommendations. Use of clinical data from primary practice EPRs can provide valuable insight into common clinical conditions and associated prescribing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-014-0240-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used for the management of canine idiopathic epilepsy (IE). Information on their clinical efficacy remains limited. A systematic review was designed to evaluate existing evidence for the effectiveness of AEDs for presumptive canine IE. Electronic searches of PubMed and CAB Direct were carried out without date or language restrictions. Conference proceedings were also searched. Peer-reviewed full-length studies describing objectively the efficacy of AEDs in dogs with IE were included. Studies were allocated in two groups, i.e. blinded randomized clinical trials (bRCTs), non-blinded randomized clinical trials (nbRCTs) and non-randomized clinical trials (NRCTs) (group A) and uncontrolled clinical trials (UCTs) and case series (group B). Individual studies were evaluated based on the quality of evidence (study design, study group sizes, subject enrolment quality and overall risk of bias) and the outcome measures reported (in particular the proportion of dogs with >= 50% reduction in seizure frequency). Results: Twenty-six studies, including two conference proceedings, reporting clinical outcomes of AEDs used for management of IE were identified. Heterogeneity of study designs and outcome measures made meta-analysis inappropriate. Only four bRCTs were identified in group A and were considered to offer higher quality of evidence among the studies. A good level of evidence supported the efficacy of oral phenobarbital and imepitoin and fair level of evidence supported the efficacy of oral potassium bromide and levetiracetam. For the remaining AEDs, favorable results were reported regarding their efficacy, but there was insufficient evidence to support their use due to lack of bRCTs. Conclusions: Oral phenobarbital and imepitoin in particular, as well as potassium bromide and levetiracetam are likely to be effective for the treatment of IE. However, variations in baseline characteristics of the dogs involved, significant differences between study designs and several potential sources of bias preclude definitive recommendations. There is a need for greater numbers of adequately sized bRCTs evaluating the efficacy of AEDs for IE.

Enhanced knowledge on longevity and mortality in cats should support improved breeding, husbandry, clinical care and disease prevention strategies. The VetCompass research database of primary care veterinary practice data offers an extensive resource of clinical health information on companion animals in the UK. This study aimed to characterise longevity and mortality in cats, and to identify important demographic risk factors for compromised longevity. Crossbred cats were hypothesised to live longer than purebred cats. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the deceased cats. Multivariable linear regression methods investigated risk factor association with longevity in cats that died at or after 5 years of age. From 118,016 cats attending 90 practices in England, 4009 cats with confirmed deaths were randomly selected for detailed study. Demographic characterisation showed that 3660 (91.7%) were crossbred, 2009 (50.7%) were female and 2599 (64.8%) were neutered. The most frequently attributed causes of mortality in cats of all ages were trauma (12.2%), renal disorder (12.1%), non-specific illness (11.2%), neoplasia (10.8%) and mass lesion disorders (10.2%). Overall, the median longevity was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 9.0–17.0; range 0.0–26.7). Crossbred cats had a higher median longevity than purebred cats (median [IQR] 14.0 years [9.1–17.0] vs 12.5 years [6.1–16.4]; P

Improved understanding of absolute and relative prevalence values for common feline disorders could support clinicians when listing differential diagnoses and also assist prioritisation of breeding, research and health control strategies. This study aimed to analyse primary-care veterinary clinical data within the VetCompass project to estimate the prevalence of the most common disorders recorded in cats in England and to evaluate associations with purebred status. It was hypothesised that common disorders would be more prevalent in purebred than in crossbred cats. From a study population of 142,576 cats attending 91 clinics across Central and South-East England from 1 September 2009 to 15 January 2014, a random sample of 3584 was selected for detailed clinical review to extract information on all disorders recorded. The most prevalent diagnosis-level disorders were periodontal disease (n = 499; prevalence, 13.9%, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 12.5-15.4), flea infestation (n = 285; prevalence, 8.0%; 95% CI, 7.0-8.9) and obesity (n = 239; prevalence, 6.7%; 95% CI, 5.7-7.6). The most prevalent disorder groups recorded were dental conditions (n = 540; prevalence, 15.1%, 95% CI, 13.6-16.6), traumatic injury (n = 463; prevalence, 12.9%; 95% CI, 11.6-14.3) and dermatological disorders (n = 373; prevalence, 10.4%; 95% CI, 9.2-11.7). Crossbred cats had a higher prevalence of abscesses (excluding cat bite abscesses) (P = 0.009) and hyperthyroidism (P = 0.002) among the 20 most common disorders recorded. Purebreds had a higher prevalence for coat disorders (P 0.001). Veterinarians could use these results to focus their diagnostic and prophylactic efforts towards the most prevalent feline disorders. The study did not show an increased prevalence of common disorders in purebred cats compared with crossbred cats. Primary-care veterinary clinical data were versatile and useful for demographic and clinical feline studies.

Objective To assess the usefulness of standard radiographic projections for determining acetabular cup position and to compare 2 radiographic methods for calculation of the angle of lateral opening of the acetabular cup. Study design In vitro radiographic study. Methods Acetabular components were mounted on a custom-built inclinometer. The effect of varying the angles of lateral opening, inclination, version, and centering of the x-ray beam on the radiographic appearance of the cup was investigated. The angle of lateral opening was calculated trigonometrically after direct measurement and by means of computer-aided image analysis. Results Using a ventrodorsal radiograph, the computer-aided measurement of angle of lateral opening was accurate to within 5 degrees when the true angle of lateral opening was > or = 40 degrees. In the case of direct measurement, the calculated angle was accurate to within 5 degrees only when the true angle was > or = 60 degrees. An increasing angle of inclination was associated with reduced accuracy of calculation of the angles of lateral opening and version. Standard radiographic assessment of acetabular version and inclination was not found to be clinically useful. The displacement of the x-ray beam, which would cause significant error in the determination of lateral opening, is unlikely to be exceeded in practice. Cup size had no significant effect on the accuracy of the results. Conclusions Computer-aided image analysis can be used to calculate angles of lateral opening to within 10 degrees throughout the range of acetabular positions seen in practice and is appropriate for postoperative documentation of cup position. The angles of inclination and version should be interpreted with caution.

The objective of this study was to systematically review the efficacy of topically applied insecticide treatments of dogs (impregnated collars, spot-ons), and prophylactic medications to prevent natural Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) infection in dogs. Randomised controlled trials (RCT), non-randomised clinical trials, cohort studies and case-control studies that investigated preventive efficacy for natural L. infantum infection in dogs were eligible for inclusion. Two review authors independently assessed each study against the inclusion criteria, independently extracted relevant data from all included studies and assessed the risk of methodological shortcomings in each individual study. The odds ratio (OR) and absolute risk reduction (ARR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference for continuous outcomes were calculated. Meta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity of the studies identified. The search yielded 937 articles, from which 84 full text articles were selected for second stage screening. Eleven eligible studies were included; four on collars (two RCTs), three on spot-ons (two RCTs - one looking at two different dosing regimens), three on prophylactic medications (all RCTs) and one on both collars and spot-ons summarised in this paper. All of the studies were considered to be at a high risk of methodological shortcomings, with the exception of one spot-on study which was considered to be at an unclear risk of methodological shortcomings. Deltamethrin collars, 65% permethrin, 10% imidacloprid with 50% permethrin spot-ons and domperidone prophylactic medication tended to significantly reduce the proportion of dogs infected with L. infantum based on either parasitological or serological evidence.

Improved understanding of longevity represents a significant welfare opportunity for the domestic dog, given its unparalleled morphological diversity. Epidemiological research using electronic patient records (EPRs) collected from primary veterinary practices overcomes many inherent limitations of referral clinic, owner questionnaire and pet insurance data. Clinical health data from 102,609 owned dogs attending first opinion veterinary practices (n=86) in central and southeast England were analysed, focusing on 5095 confirmed deaths. Of deceased dogs with information available, 3961 (77.9%) were purebred, 2386 (47.0%) were female, 2528 (49.8%) were neutered and 1105 (21.7%) were insured. The overall median longevity was 12.0 years (IQR 8.9-14.2). The longest-lived breeds were the Miniature poodle, Bearded collie, Border collie and Miniature dachshund, while the shortest-lived were the Dogue de Bordeaux and Great Dane. The most frequently attributed causes of death were neoplastic, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. The results of multivariable modelling indicated that longevity in crossbred dogs exceeded purebred dogs by 1.2 years (95% confidence interval 0.9-1.4; P0.001) and that increasing bodyweight was negatively correlated with longevity. The current findings highlight major breed differences for longevity and support the concept of hybrid vigour in dogs.

Responsible use of antimicrobials by veterinarians is essential to contain antimicrobial resistance in pathogens relevant to public health. Inappropriate antimicrobial use has been previously described in practice. However, there is scarce information on factors influencing antimicrobial usage in dogs and cats. We investigated intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing decision-making of antimicrobial usage in first opinion small animal practices in the UK through the application of qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 veterinarians from seven veterinary first opinion practices in the UK in 2010. Topics investigated included: a) criteria used for selection of antimicrobials, b) influences by colleagues, c) influences by clients, d) pet characteristics, e) sources of knowledge, f) awareness of guidelines and g) protocols implemented in practice that may affect antimicrobial usage by veterinarians. Hypothetical scenarios selected to assess appropriateness of antimicrobial usage were: a) vomiting in a Yorkshire Terrier due to dietary indiscretion, b) deep pyoderma in a Shar-Pei, c) Feline Lower Urinary Tract disease in an 7 year-old male neutered cat and d) neutering of a 6-months dog. Interviews were recorded and transcribed by the interviewer. Thematic analysis was used to analyse content of transcribed interviews. Data management and analysis was conducted with qualitative analysis software NVivo8 (QSR International Pty Ltd). Antimicrobial usage by participants was influenced by factors other than clinical evidence and scientific knowledge. Intrinsic factors included veterinarian's preference of substances and previous experience. Extrinsic factors influencing antimicrobial selection were; perceived efficacy, ease of administration of formulations, perceived compliance, willingness and ability to treat by pet owners, and animal characteristics. Cost of therapy was only perceived as an influential factor in low, mixed socioeconomic areas. Veterinarians had limited awareness of current recommendations for responsible use in small animal practice. Social norms, particularly verbally agreed protocols influenced veterinarians. Inappropriate antimicrobial usage was identified in the therapy of non-infectious diseases and prophylaxis of routine clean surgical procedures. Discussion of clinical cases with peers and effectiveness meetings in the workplace were useful to veterinarians to share scientific knowledge. Effectiveness meetings can be a common ground for veterinarians to discuss and agree protocols for clinical conditions and surgical procedures. Protocols should be evidence-based, follow current recommendations and take into account the resources available in the workplace. Targeted training of veterinarians in the workplace with peer support should be used to promote responsible antimicrobial usage.

Epidemiological evaluation of canine epilepsy is an under-researched area. The objectives of this study were to estimate prevalence and investigate risk factors for epilepsy of unknown origin (EUO) among dogs attending primary veterinary practices in the UK. The clinical data analysed spanned a two-year period and included all dogs attending 92 primary veterinary clinics participating in the VetCompass project. Five hundred and thirty-nine EUO cases were identified giving a prevalence of 0.62% (95% CI 0.57% to 0.67%). Males were over 1.5 times as likely to have EUO compared with females (95% CI 1.44 to 2.06; P

The disease complex Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) has been associated with the development of neuropathic pain (NeP), and commonly affects Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). This prospective cohort study followed 48 CKCSs with CM and/or SM and clinical signs suggestive of NeP for a period of 39 (±14.3) months from diagnosis. At the end of the study, 36 dogs were still alive; five dogs died of an unrelated or unknown cause, and seven were euthanased due to severe clinical signs suggestive of NeP. During the follow-up period, the clinical signs of scratching, facial rubbing behaviour, vocalisation and exercise ability were evaluated. Nine out of 48 dogs stopped scratching (P

To compare the success by inexperienced anaesthetists of using a modified infraorbital approach to the maxillary nerve with the traditional percutaneous approach.Prospective, randomized, blinded controlled study.Heads from 37 euthanized Beagle and Beagle cross dogs.Four anaesthetists were recruited to perform two different approaches to block the maxillary nerve of the cadavers. The infraorbital (I) approach advanced an intravenous catheter along the infraorbital canal. Earlier measurements from scans of similar heads were used to assess suitable catheter size. The percutaneous (P) approach introduced a needle percutaneously just below the ventral border of the zygomatic arch. The side of the head where the technique was to be performed was randomized. A total volume of 0.5 mL methylene blue was injected in each approach. After completion of injections, head dissections were performed by an investigator unaware of the approach used and staining of the maxillary and pterygopalatine nerves was evaluated. Chi squared analysis examined the relationship between the methods (p0.05). Complications related to the techniques, such as intravascular/intraneural injection and location of the dye, were evaluated macroscopically.Maxillary nerve staining6 mm was found in 64.9% (I) versus 21.6% (P) attempts; staining6 mm was found in 27% (I) versus 21.6% (P); and no nerve staining 8.1% (I) versus 56.8% (M). Pterygopalatine nerve staining was found in 70% (I) versus 21% (P). The infraorbital approach demonstrated significantly higher maxillary and pterygopalatine nerve staining compared to the percutaneous approach (p = 0.001 for both nerves). No evidence of intravascular/intraneural injections was found.The infraorbital approach was more successful than the percutaneous approach when performed by inexperienced anaesthetists. No macroscopic complications were observed.

Objective To determine if the use of needle enhancing software facilitate injection technique in ultrasound‐guided peripheral nerve blocks. Study design Prospective, blinded, randomized controlled trial. Animals Eight hind limbs from canine cadavers. Methods The limbs were randomly allocated to two groups; software on (group I) and software off (group II). Eight anaesthetists with no previous experience of ultrasound‐guided regional anaesthesia were recruited. Thirty‐six procedures were carried out (18 per group). After sciatic nerve visualisation via ultrasonography, the anaesthetist introduced a needle guided by ultrasonography. When the tip of the needle was considered by the anaesthetist to be as close as possible to the nerve without touching it, 0.05 mL of methylene blue dye was injected. Parameters evaluated included: number of attempts to visualise the needle with ultrasonography, time spent to perform the technique, subjective evaluation of ease of needle visualisation, proximity of the tip of the needle to the nerve, and, at dissection of the leg, inoculation site of the dye in relation to the nerve. Results Significant differences between groups were identified in relation to the number of attempts (group I: median 1, IQR: 1 – 1 attempts versus group II: median 1, IQR: 1 – 4 attempts, p = 0.019), and the relationship between the dye and the nerve during hind limb dissection (72.2% of the nerves were stained in group I versus 16.6% in group II, p = 0.003). No significant difference between groups was observed with respect to the time taken to perform the procedure (group I: median 25.5, IQR: 18.4 – 44.3 seconds versus group II: median 35.7, IQR: 18.6–78.72 seconds, p = 0.31), subjective evaluation of the needle visualization ( p = 0.45) or distance between the tip of the needle and the nerve as measured from the ultrasound screen ( p = 0.23). Conclusions and clinical relevance This study identified greater success rate in nerve staining when the needle enhancing software was used. The results suggest that the use of this technique could improve injection technique amongst inexperienced anaesthetists performing ultrasound‐guided peripheral nerve blocks in dogs.

A commonly-stated advantage of neutering bitches is a significant reduction in the risk of mammary tumours, however the evidence for this has not previously been assessed by systematic review. The objectives of this study were to estimate the magnitude and strength of evidence for any effect of neutering, or age of neutering, on the risk of mammary tumours in bitches. A systematic review was conducted based on Cochrane guidelines. Peer-reviewed analytic journal articles in English were eligible and were assessed for risk of bias by two reviewers independently. Of 11,149 search results, 13 reports in English-language peer-reviewed journals addressed the association between neutering/age at neutering and mammary tumours. Nine were judged to have a high risk of bias. The remaining four were classified as having a moderate risk of bias. One study found an association between neutering and a reduced risk of mammary tumours. Two studies found no evidence of an association. One reported "some protective effect" of neutering on the risk of mammary tumours, but no numbers were presented. Due to the limited evidence available and the risk of bias in the published results, the evidence that neutering reduces the risk of mammary neoplasia, and the evidence that age at neutering has an effect, are judged to be weak and are not a sound basis for firm recommendations.

To assess the reliability of radiographic measurement of angle of lateral opening (ALO) and angle of version of BFX acetabular cups.In vitro radiographic study.BFX cups (24, 28, and 32 mm).Total hip replacement constructs (cups, 17 mm femoral head and a #7 CFX stem) were mounted on an inclinometer. Ventrodorsal radiographs were obtained with ALO varying between 21° and 70° and inclination set at 0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°. Radiographs were randomized using a random sequence generator. Three observers blinded to the radiograph order assessed ALO using 3 methods: (1) an ellipse method based on trigonometry; (2) using a measurement from the center of the femoral head to the truncated surface of the cup; (3) by visual estimation using a reference chart. Version was measured by assessing the ventral edge of the truncated surface.ALO methods 2 and 3 were accurate and precise to within 10° and were significantly more accurate and precise than method 1 (P.001). All methods were significantly less accurate with increasing inclination. Version measurement was accurate and precise to within 7° with 0-20° of inclination, but significantly less accurate with 30° of inclination.Methods 2 and 3, but not method 1, were sufficiently accurate and precise to be clinically useful. Version measurement was clinically useful when inclination was ≤ 20°.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and cardiorespiratory effects of alfaxalone as an anaesthetic induction agent in dogs with moderate to severe systemic disease. Study design Randomized prospective clinical study. Animals Forty dogs of physical status ASA III-V referred for various surgical procedures. Methods Dogs were pre-medicated with intramuscular methadone (0.2 mg kg−1) and allocated randomly to one of two treatment groups for induction of anaesthesia: alfaxalone (ALF) 1–2 mg kg−1 administered intravenously (IV) over 60 seconds or fentanyl 5 μg kg−1 with diazepam 0.2 mg kg−1± propofol 1–2 mg kg−1 (FDP) IV to allow endotracheal intubation. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and fentanyl infusion following both treatments. All dogs were mechanically ventilated to maintain normocapnia. Systolic blood pressure (SAP) was measured by Doppler ultrasound before and immediately after anaesthetic induction, but before isoflurane administration. Parameters recorded every 5 minutes throughout subsequent anaesthesia were heart and respiratory rates, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide and isoflurane, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and invasive systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure. Quality of anaesthetic induction and recovery were recorded. Continuous variables were assessed for normality and analyzed with the Mann Whitney U test. Repeated measures were log transformed and analyzed with repeated measures anova (p Results Treatment groups were similar for continuous and categorical data. Anaesthetic induction quality was good following both treatments. Pre-induction and post-induction systolic blood pressure did not differ between treatments and there was no significant change after induction. The parameters measured throughout the subsequent anaesthetic procedures did not differ between treatments. Quality of recovery was very, quite or moderately smooth. Conclusions and clinical relevance Induction of anaesthesia with alfaxalone resulted in similar cardiorespiratory effects when compared to the fentanyl-diazepam-propofol combination and is a clinically acceptable induction agent in sick dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics and survival of a recent population of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Records at the Royal Veterinary College Queen Mother Hospital for Animals were searched for cats diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy between 1997 and 2005. Referring veterinarians and owners were contacted to determine survival times. Results: Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were evaluated for population characteristics (n=127) and survival times (n=109). Overall median survival from date of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosis at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals was 1276 days. Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were younger (P=0·009), and more likely to be male (P

The term "surface epithelium" is used to describe cells, including meningeal, choroid plexus, ependymal, and endothelial cells, that are found in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and are difficult to distinguish cytologically. We hypothesized that the presence of surface epithelial cells in canine CSF was associated with specific diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).In this retrospective study the frequency of surface epithelial cells in CSF from dogs with neurologic disease was investigated along with the potential association with age, specific type of CNS disease, and CSF total nucleated cell count (TNCC) and protein concentration.The frequency of surface epithelial cells in 359 canine CSF samples was analyzed for 5 disease groups: CNS neoplasia, CNS compression, CNS inflammation, idiopathic epilepsy, and miscellaneous diseases. Groups were also combined into those with and without expected meningeal involvement. Association of the presence of surface epithelial cells in CSF with age, disease type, and CSF TNCC and protein concentration was investigated.Surface epithelial cells were found in 27 of 359 (7.5%) CSF samples: CNS neoplasia 2/30 (6.7%), CNS compression 7/64 (10.9%), CNS inflammation 1/39 (2.6%), idiopathic epilepsy 8/124 (6.5%), and miscellaneous diseases 9/102 (8.8%). Significant associations between surface epithelial cell presence in CSF and age, disease type, CSF TNCC, and CSF protein concentration were not found.The presence of surface epithelial cells was not related to a specific disease group or CSF changes in the studied population. Thus, the presence of surface epithelial cells should be interpreted carefully, as it could represent an incidental finding in CSF specimens.

Objective To estimate the incidence of raised cTnI after general anaesthesia in dogs and to explore major risk factors influencing this. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals A total of 107 (ASA physical status 1−2) dogs, 63% male and 37% female, median age 5 years (range 0.3–13.4), median weight 24.4 kg (range 4.2–66.5 kg) undergoing anaesthesia for clinical purposes. Methods Venous blood samples were taken within 24 hours prior to induction and 24 hours after the termination of anaesthesia. Serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I were measured using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay with a lower level of detection of 0.20 ng mL−1 (below this level

The aim of the current study was to quantify the risk of tail injury, to evaluate the extent to which tail docking reduces this risk, and to identify other major risk factors for tail injury in dogs in Great Britain. A nested case-control study was conducted during 2008 and 2009. Data were obtained from a stratified random sample of veterinary practices throughout Great Britain, and questionnaires were sent to owners of dogs with tail injuries and owners of a randomly selected sample of dogs without tail injuries. The risks of injury were reported adjusting for the sampling approach, and mixed effects logistic regression was used to develop a multivariable model for risk factors associated with tail injury. Two hundred and eighty-one tail injuries were recorded from a population of 138,212 dogs attending 52 participating practices. The weighted risk of tail injuries was 0.23 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 0.20 to 0.25 per cent). Thirty-six per cent of injuries were reportedly related to injuries sustained in the home, 17.5 per cent were outdoor-related injuries, 14.4 per cent were due to the tail being caught in a door, for 16.5 per cent the cause was unknown and the remainder were due to other causes. Dogs with a wide angle of wag and dogs kept in kennels were at significantly higher risk of sustaining a tail injury. Dogs with docked tails were significantly less likely to sustain a tail injury; however, approximately 500 dogs would need to be docked in order to prevent one tail injury. English springer spaniels, cocker spaniels, greyhounds, lurchers and whippets were all at significantly higher risk when compared to labradors and other retrievers. Differences between countries (England, Scotland and Wales) and between rural and urban environments were not significant.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2008 to obtain information on the advice veterinary practices currently give to their clients and the opinions of veterinary surgeons regarding neutering of dogs. An additional survey of dog owners was conducted to obtain information on the neuter status of the general dog population in Great Britain. A significantly higher proportion of practices had a policy for the age of neutering bitches than for dogs. The average recommended age for neutering bitches was 6.5 months (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 3.1 to 9.7 months) and for dogs it was 7.5 months (95 per cent CI 1.4 to 13.6 months). There was very little agreement between veterinary practices as to whether bitches should be allowed to have their first season before neutering, with 164 of 973 respondents (16.9 per cent) always recommending this, 198 (20.3 per cent) recommending it most of the time, 203 (20.9 per cent) sometimes, 203 (20.9 per cent) rarely and 201 (20.6 per cent) never recommending it. The owner study showed that 54 per cent of dogs (233 of 431) were neutered, with the North region having the lowest proportion of neutered dogs (11 of 25; 44.0 per cent).

Objectives: To determine whether natriuretic peptide concentrations would predict all cause mortality in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease. Methods: One hundred dogs with naturally occurring degenerative mitral valve disease were prospectively recruited for this longitudinal study. Analysis of outcome was undertaken for 73 dogs for which the outcome was known. Dogs underwent physical examination, electrocardiography and echocardiography. Natriuretic peptide concentrations were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ability of natriuretic peptide concentrations, clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data, to predict all cause mortality was determined using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses. Results: Thirty dogs died during the period of follow-up. Two variables were independently predictive of all cause mortality; these were the normalised left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and the N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide concentration. An increase of the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter by 0.1 increased the hazard of all cause mortality by 20% (95% confidence interval: 4 to 37%, P=0.01) and a 100 pmol/l increase in N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide increased the hazard by 7% (95 confidence interval: 2 to 11%, P=0.003). Clinical Significance: N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide concentration and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter are significantly and independently predictive of all cause mortality in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease.

In the United Kingdom, each year many companion animal (pet) caregivers (owners) hand over dogs to shelters for rehoming. Studies conducted in the United States and Australia have shown that accommodation issues and problematic behaviors are the most common reasons for dogs to be relinquished. The purpose of this study was to provide a clearer understanding of common characteristics of relinquished dogs in the United Kingdom. A descriptive study conducted during 2005 collected data on 2,806 dogs relinquished to Dogs Trust's rehoming centers in the United Kingdom. The most common reasons for dogs to be relinquished were their problematic behaviors and their need for more attention than the owner could provide. The results of this study identify several common characteristics of relinquished dogs as well as differences between its results and those found in studies conducted in the United States and Australia. An improved knowledge of characteristics of relinquished dogs should inform the development of strategies for improved management of the rehoming process.

Objectives: Previous studies of cats in the USA and New Zealand have identified a number of risk factors for the development of hyperthyroidism including feeding of canned cat food and being non-purebred. The objective of this study was to examine these and other risk factors in cats from London, UK. Methods: A questionnaire-based case-control study of hyperthyroidism in cats greater than eight years of age was undertaken. Cases and controls were recruited from two groups of first opinion clinics in London, UK (five locations in total). The two-page questionnaire investigated details of lifestyle, diet and exposure to environmental chemicals. Data analysis included multivariable analysis of risk factors using binary logistic regression. Results: One hundred and nine hyperthyroid cats and 196 control cats were surveyed. Increasing age, non-pure breed, use of a litter box, more than 50 per cent wet food in the diet, a diet that included fish and exposure to food in a can were identified as risk factors for the development of hyperthyroidism using multivariable analysis. Clinical Significance: Risk factors for hyperthyroidism in cats from the UK appear similar to those of other countries. Exposure to food packaged in a can was identified as the major risk factor for the development of hyperthyroidism.

Objective—To identify major risk factors associated with anesthetic-related death in dogs. Design—Case-control study. Animals—148 dogs that died or were euthanized within 48 hours after undergoing anesthesia or sedation and for which anesthesia could not be reasonably excluded as a contributory factor (cases) and 487 control dogs that did not die within 48 hours after undergoing anesthesia or sedation (controls). Procedures—Details of patient characteristics, preoperative evaluation and preparation, procedure, anesthetic and sedative agents used, monitoring, postoperative management, and personnel involved were recorded. Mixed-effects logistic regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with anesthetic-related death. Results—An increase in physical status grade, urgency of the procedure, age, or intended duration of the procedure; a decrease in body weight; anesthesia for a major versus a minor procedure; and use of injectable agents for anesthetic induction and halothane for maintenance or use of inhalant anesthetics alone (compared with use of injectable agents for induction and isoflurane for maintenance) were associated with increased odds of anesthetic-related death. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The results suggested that specific factors could be associated with increased odds of anesthetic-related death in dogs. Knowledge of these factors should aid the preoperative assessment and perioperative management of dogs undergoing anesthesia and sedation.

To examine the opinions among small animal owners regarding the management of pain and surgery in small animals. A questionnaire was presented to 800 owners of dogs or cats who visited one of the four participating clinics in Finland in February 2006. A total of 482 owners completed the questionnaire (60.3 per cent response rate); 90 per cent of the respondents were female. Owners classified surgical procedures (for example, fracture repair, skin tumour removal and neutering) as more painful than medical conditions (otitis externa and lameness). In addition, owners disagreed most with statements that they had received sufficient information on the appropriate methods of management of animal pain and that the recognition of animal pain is easy. With respect to surgical procedures, owners expressed greatest concern in relation to the animal experiencing fear or anxiety during hospitalisation and the presence of postoperative pain. The animal owners had concerns about the presence and management of animal pain, fear and anxiety. Knowledge of these animal owner opinions could aid veterinary practitioners when communicating with their clients on medical and surgical patient management. Furthermore, studies are merited to clearly define how best to successfully respond to these owner attitudes.

To estimate the risks of anaesthetic and sedation-related mortality in companion animals in the UK. (The Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Small Animal Fatalities, CEPSAF).A prospective cohort study with nested case-control study.All small animals anaesthetized and sedated at participating centres between June 2002 and June 2004.Patient outcomes at 48 hours (alive, dead and killed) were recorded. Anaesthetic and sedation-related death was defined as death where surgical or pre-existing medical causes did not solely cause death. Species-specific risks of anaesthetic-related death and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Risks were also estimated in the sub-sets of dogs, cats and rabbits that were either healthy or sick (ASA 1-2 and 3-5, respectively).One hundred and seventeen veterinary practices participated in the study and 98 036 dogs, 79 178 cats and 8209 rabbits were anaesthetized and sedated. Overall risks of anaesthetic and sedation-related death in dogs were 0.17% (1 in 601, 95% CI 0.14-0.19%), in cats 0.24% (1 in 419, 95% CI 0.20-0.27%) and in rabbits 1.39% (1 in 72, 95% CI 1.14-1.64%) within 48 hours of the procedure. In healthy dogs, cats and rabbits, the risks were estimated to be 0.05% (1 in 1849, 95% CI 0.04-0.07%), 0.11%, (1 in 895, 95% CI 0.09-0.14%) and 0.73% (1 in 137, 95% CI 0.54-0.93%), respectively. In sick dogs, cats and rabbits, the risks were 1.33%, (1 in 75, 95% CI 1.07-1.60%), 1.40% (1 in 71, 95% CI 1.12-1.68%) and 7.37% (1 in 14, 95% CI 5.20-9.54%), respectively. Postoperative deaths accounted for 47% of deaths in dogs, 61% in cats and 64% in rabbits. Most other small animal species had higher mortality risks.Small animal anaesthesia appears to be increasingly safe. Greater patient care in the postoperative period could reduce fatalities.

Systemic hypertension is a common clinical problem, often occurring in association with renal disease in cats. Limited information is available to assess the effect of blood pressure and the treatment of hypertension on survival.That adequacy of blood pressure control is associated with the duration of survival in cats with systolic hypertension.One hundred and forty-one client-owned cats with systolic hypertension.Hypertensive cats were treated with amlodipine besylate and were followed until death or the study end point. Time-averaged systolic blood pressure (SBPOT) after implementation of antihypertensive medication and stabilization of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was calculated by using the equation (area under the curve/survival [days]). Cats were divided into quartiles based on their SBPOT, representing varying levels of blood pressure control (median [25th, 75th percentile]: Q1 = 137 [132, 141] mm Hg, Q2 = 148 [145, 151] mm Hg, Q3 = 157 [155, 158] mm Hg, Q4 = 170 [164, 175] mm Hg). Survival and clinical variables were compared between the quartiles. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine the association of age, renal function, proteinuria, SBPOT, and the presence of hyperthyroidism on survival. Urine protein to creatinine ratio (UP:C) was compared at diagnosis of hypertension and after initiating treatment.Only UP:C and SBP at diagnosis differed significantly between SBPOT quartiles. Proteinuria was the only variable significantly related to survival in hypertensive cats. A significant decline in UP:C was found in cats treated with amlodipine besylate.Proteinuria before and after treatment of hypertension is strongly associated with survival in cats with systolic hypertension. Treatment with amlodipine besylate can result in a significant reduction in UP: C.

PULMONIC stenosis (PS) is a common congenital cardiac defect in dogs (Buchanan 1992). Depending on the type of stenosis and its severity, surgical management is required. Balloon valvuloplasty (BV) is a non-invasive surgical technique that has become commonly performed in veterinary medicine (Bussadori and others 2001). Several protocols to anaesthetise patients undergoing this procedure have been described. However, only one retrospective study (Ramos and others 2014) assessing and reporting the perioperative complications during BV has been published recently. The aim of this study was to describe the anaesthetic management used over the past years in a large referring European veterinary institution and to explore which major factors are associated with complications in dogs undergoing BV. Forty-six dogs in which PS was managed with BV were included in this study. Parameters included in the analysis were breed, age, sex, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, severity of the stenosis, systolic pressure gradient, heart remodelling, presence of heart failure, patient medication, concurrent problems, use of NSAIDs, drugs used for premedication, induction and maintenance of anaesthesia, use of intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), use of other drugs, hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure 140 bpm), systemic hypertension (systolic arterial blood pressure >160 mmHg for at least five minutes), arrhythmias, treatment of complications, temperature at the end of procedure, length of …

Background Mast cell tumour (MCT) appears to be a frequent tumour type in dogs, though there is little published in relation to its frequency in dogs in the UK. The current study aimed to investigate prevalence and risk factors for MCTs in dogs attending English primary-care veterinary practices. Methods Electronic patient records from practices participating in the VetCompass animal surveillance project between July 2007 and June 2013 were searched for MCT diagnosis. Various search terms and standard diagnostic terms (VeNom codes) identified records containing MCT diagnoses, which were evaluated against clinical criteria for inclusion to the study. MCT prevalence for the entire dataset and specific breed types were calculated. Descriptive statistics characterised MCT cases and multivariable logistic regression methods evaluated risk factors for association with MCT (P

Feline hyperthyroidism is a commonly diagnosed endocrinopathy that can have a substantial deleterious impact on the welfare of affected cats. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and geographical distribution for feline hyperthyroidism in England, using primary-care veterinary practice clinical data from the VetCompass Animal Surveillance Project. Prevalence was estimated from the overall cat cohort. Associated factor analysis used an age-matched, nested, case-control design with multivariable logistic regression. There were 2,276 cases of feline hyperthyroidism identified from 95,629 cats attending 84 practices from September 2009 to December 2011. Cases were aged 6–25 years. 3.7 per cent of cases and 9.9 per cent of controls were purebred, 56.4 per cent of cases and 56.5 per cent of controls were female, and 88.1 per cent of cases and 86.0 per cent of controls were neutered. The apparent prevalence was 2.4 per cent (95% CI 2.3 to 2.5 per cent) overall, and 8.7 per cent (95% CI 8.3 to 9.0 per cent) in cats aged 10 years or above. Burmese (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.32, P

Objective To compare the postoperative analgesic and sedative properties of buprenorphine and morphine in cats. Study design Prospective, randomized, blinded study. Animals Thirty–two domestic cats undergoing surgery. Methods Cats received pre–anaesthetic medication with acepromazine (0.05 mg kg −1 ) given intramuscularly and were randomly allocated to group M and given morphine (0.1 mg kg −1 ) intramuscularly (IM) or to group B and given buprenorphine (0.01 mg kg −1 ) IM. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Pain and sedation scores using visual analogue scales, and heart and respiratory rates, were measured immediately before, and 30, 60, 120, 180, 300 and 420 minutes after anaesthesia. Results Pain scores were significantly lower at 60, 120 and 180 minutes after anaesthesia in group B. Group B also had higher heart rates at 30 minutes. There were no other statistically significant differences between the groups. Clinical relevance Buprenorphine (0.01 mg kg −1 ) appeared to provide better postoperative analgesia than morphine (0.1 mg kg −1 ) and may also have a longer duration of action.

Two groups of 21 three-month-old Landrace x Large White pigs were sedated with either azaperone (2 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg) (group A), or detomidine (100 microg/kg), butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg) (group D) administered intramuscularly, before being anaesthetised with halothane, oxygen and nitrous oxide for a bilateral stifle arthrotomy. The pigs' heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial blood pressure, electrocardiogram, arterial oxygen saturation, arterial blood gases, and oesophageal and rectal temperature were measured while they were anaesthetised and five minutes after they were disconnected, and their recovery times and any complications were recorded. Both groups were well sedated. Their heart rate was unchanged during the period of anaesthesia but increased when they recovered. The respiratory rate, mean arterial blood pressure and rectal temperature were lower in group A than in group D (P

Malignant hyperthermia developed in two Landrace x Large White pigs, 75 and 105 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia with halothane. Rapid treatment and discontinuation of halothane anaesthesia were unable to reverse the condition in the first case but were successful in the second. The delayed onset of malignant hyperthermia after delivery of halothane is unusual and for successful treatment careful monitoring and rapid and aggressive therapy are needed.

ANAESTHETIC mortality risk factors associated with anaesthetic-related death have been studied in canine populations in North American referral practices (Lumb and Jones 1973, 1984, Hosgood and Scholl 1998, Gaynor and others 1999). Mortality risks for canine referral populations undergoing anaesthetic have been documented at 0·5 to 1 per cent. Typically, these risks are higher than those documented in first-opinion practice (Clarke and Hall 1990, Dyson and others 1998). Factors associated with anaesthetic-related death in referred animals include poor patient health status, old age and belonging to a brachycephalic breed (Lumb and Jones 1973, Hosgood and Scholl 1998, Gaynor and others 1999). Only the study by Hosgood and Scholl (1998) adjusted the risks associated with specific factors for confounding variables, and found that increased risk was only associated with increasing age and poor patient health status. Assessment of risk factors in a canine referral practice population has not been published recently in the UK. The aims of this study were to identify major risk factors associated with anaesthetic-related mortality and to estimate the mortality risk in a single UK canine referral practice population. A case-control study was conducted retrospectively from dogs anaesthetised at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA), Royal Veterinary College (RVC), from the beginning of February 1999 until the end of April 2002. The study was nested in a cohort of all dogs that were anaesthetised using an inhalation agent at the RVC during the study period. The cohort was generated from the QMHA’s computer system, based on the inhalation agent administered. Cases were defined as anaesthetic-related deaths occurring within 48 hours of anaesthesia, in which anaesthesia could not be excluded from contributing to death. Cases were identified from case records and postmortem reports. Controls were randomly selected from the cohort of dogs anaesthetised at the RVC during the three-year period using a case:control ratio of 1:2. Potential risk factors assessed included patient health status (ASA [American Society of Anesthesiologists] grade 1 to 2 healthy or mild disease versus ASA grade 3 to 5 severe disease to moribund), age, premedication with acepromazine (ACP; Vericore), premedication with opioids (pethidine [Pethidine injection BP; Martindale Pharmaceuticals], morphine [Morphine sulphate injection BP; Martindale Pharmaceuticals], butorphanol [Torbugesic injection; Fort Dodge] or papaveretum [Papaveretum injection BP; Martindale Pharmaceuticals]), overall premedication (benzodiazepines [Diazemals; Dumex or Hypnovel; Roche] and/or opioids only, acepromazine and/or opioids), induction with thiopentone (Intraval Sodium; Merial Animal Health) or propofol (Rapiovet; Schering-Plough Animal Health), maintenance of anaesthesia with halothane (Halothane Vet; Merial Animal Health) or isoflurane (IsoFlo; Schering-Plough Animal Health) and duration of anaesthesia. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) for the odds of anaesthetic-related death were calculated for the exposure variables. Either the chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was applied for categorical data and Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U test was applied for continuous data (Kirkwood 1988). Risk factors significant at the 20 per cent level were taken forward for further evaluation in the multivariable analysis. Following exploratory stratification, logistic regression (STATA 7.0; Statcorp) was used, and the contribution of the explanatory variables to the model was assessed. Statistically significant variables (P

Aim – To identify and evaluate existing evidence for the effectiveness of systemic antimicrobial treatments for naturally occurring superficial and deep canine pyoderma. Method – Electronic searches of PubMed, MEDLINE and CAB Direct were carried out (25 May 2011) without date or language restrictions. Proceedings of ESVD/ECVD, AAVD/ACVD, NAVDF and WCVD annual congresses were searched. Unpublished studies were sought via the Veterinary Dermatology discussion list and Veterinary Information Network. Results – Seventeen full-length, peer-reviewed controlled trials reporting clinical outcomes of systemic antimicrobial treatment for canine pyoderma were identified. Outcomes specific to superficial or deep pyoderma were reported in nine and five studies, respectively. Five studies reported outcomes only for nondifferentiated pyoderma depth. Heterogeneity of study designs and outcome measures made meta-analysis inappropriate. A good level of evidence was identified supporting the high efficacy of subcutaneously injected cefovecin in superficial pyoderma and for oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid in deep pyoderma. A fair level of evidence was identified for moderate to high efficacy of oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, clindamycin, cefadroxil, trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole and sulfadimethoxine–ormetoprim in superficial pyoderma and oral pradofloxacin, oral cefadroxil and subcutaneously injected cefovecin in deep pyoderma. Eleven trials reported observations of adverse effects in treated pyoderma cases by intervention group; four dogs were withdrawn owing to the severity of adverse effects. Conclusions – There is a need for greater numbers of adequately sized, blinded, randomized controlled trials evaluating systemic antimicrobial interventions for canine pyoderma. Improved differentiation between superficial and deep pyoderma in outcome reporting, outcome measure standardization and association of outcomes with causative bacterial species and their resistance patterns are required.

Dr Starke and colleagues comment : We agree with several general arguments of Mr Clutton and colleagues, but we hold different opinions on some aspects. First, we would like to give more information about our general procedure of treating cows with arthritis. Cows with suspected arthritis are