Table of Contents and Abstracts

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has been shown to be important for staging in dogs with mast cell tumors (MCTs). Despite this, many patients are referred to an oncologist after surgical intervention has been carried out. It is unknown whether lymphatic drainage patterns are altered by surgery and whether postoperative SLN mapping can be reliably conducted. The objective of this study was to compare lymphatic drainage patterns from MCT sites before and after surgical removal to determine whether the SLN changes following tumor excision. Twenty-nine client-owned dogs with 31 cytologically diagnosed MCTs were prospectively enrolled, with 14 dogs (N = 15 MCTs) completing the study. Preoperative SLN mapping was conducted using radiographic indirect lymphography (IL). Water-soluble iodinated contrast (WIC) medium was injected peritumorally using a 4-quadrant technique and digital radiography was then used to assess lymphatic drainage patterns. Orthogonal projections were obtained every 1 to 2 min until the SLN was visualized, up to 20 min post-injection. Dogs were re-evaluated 2 to 5 wk postoperatively and radiographic IL was carried out again using the same protocol as previously described with WIC injected around the surgical scar line in a 4-quadrant technique. An SLN was identified for 15 MCTs in 14 dogs preoperatively and in 13/15 MCTs postoperatively. Sixteen dogs with 16 MCTs did not have postoperative lymphography and did not complete the study. Agreement between preoperative and postoperative SLNs was a complete match in 7/15 MCTs, a partial match in 5/15 MCTs, and no match in 3/15 MCTs. A negative IL study was obtained in 2/15 MCTs postoperatively. Complete agreement between preoperative and postoperative SLN identification was detected in 46.7% of cases and there was no agreement in 20% of cases. Surgical intervention did not change the time to SLN identification when carrying out radiographic IL. Thus, surgical removal of MCTs affects lymphatic drainage and can alter the SLN(s) detected. Clinicians should be aware of this finding and interpret results of postoperative lymph node staging with caution.

The control of equine respiratory infections is a biosecurity challenge. Respiratory viruses are often rapidly detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on nasal swabs. In the past, some laboratories developed handmade techniques to increase the amount of nasal secretions collected, without comparing them with nasal swabs when qPCR replaced the use of viral culture. The objectives of this study were to compare nasal swabs and handmade foam cubes for i) the detection of a common equine herpesvirus (EHV-5) by qPCR, and ii) their tolerability. Forty-five polyester swabs and foam cubes were used to sample 9 horses 5 times. These were then analyzed by qPCR for EHV-5. Agreement of qPCR results (positive, suspect, negative) was assessed using the intraclass correlation (ICC) and the avoidance scores were compared using a proportional odds mixed model. The ICC showed moderate agreement (0.61, P < 0.001). Twenty-seven percent of the samples were positive or suspect with either swabs or foam cubes, whereas 18% were strictly positive with swabs and 11% with foam cubes. Avoidance scores were not statistically different. Both methods have an acceptable agreement. Handmade foam cubes did not provide additional diagnostic value compared to polyester swabs, which is the method presently recommended.

The objective of this prospective study was to investigate whether repeated consecutive general anesthesia in horses undergoing 2 different anesthetic protocols could lead to improved recovery scores. Six healthy female Standardbred horses (453 ± 57 kg; 6.5 ± 4.2 y old) underwent 4 anesthetic protocols over 12 to 13 wk. Procedures 1 and 4 were arthroscopic surgeries [induction: xylazine, diazepam, and ketamine; and maintenance: FE′Isoflurane (1.1%), lidocaine (2 mg/kg body weight [BW], 50 to 100 µg/min per kg BW), dexmedetomidine (2.5 µg/h per kg BW)]. Procedures 2 and 3 were preparation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [induction: xylazine, guaifenesin, and ketamine; and maintenance: FE′Isoflurane (1.3%)], as well as mechanical ventilation during all events. For recovery, horses were placed in 2 different recovery stalls, one for procedures 1 and 4, and a different one for procedures 2 and 3, and received xylazine, 0.15 to 0.25 mg/kg BW, IV. Recovery was scored using a numerical score and descriptive scale. A 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare recovery scores, cardiopulmonary variables, anesthetic times, and drug dosages between procedures (P < 0.05). Anesthetic protocols for procedures 3 (10.5 ± 2.5) and 4 (10.2 ± 3.1) had better (P = 0.0348) recovery numerical scores than those for procedure 2 (14.3 ± 1.9) and were similar to those for procedure 1 (11.5 ± 2.3), but overall descriptive scores were not significantly different (1 = 1.7 ± 0.5, 2 = 1.8 ± 0.4, 3 = 1.3 ± 0.5, 4 = 1.3 ± 0.5). Balance and coordination (P = 0.0172) and knuckling (P = 0.0193) were associated with worse recovery in procedure 2. Anesthesia time was longer (P < 0.0001) in procedures 2 (157 ± 11 min) and 3 (96 ± 5 min) than in procedures 1 (72 ± 9 min) and 4 (60 ± 5 min). In conclusion, the quality of recovery is influenced by anesthetic protocol and in this study, quality improved in procedures 3 and 4 compared to procedure 2.

The objective of this study was to determine the nomenclature for friction knots commonly used by veterinary surgeons. Veterinary surgeons certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) or the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) were recruited through email listings available on the websites of veterinary schools and the ACVS to participate in a survey on this subject. Participation was also solicited through the ACVS Facebook page, the Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery, and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society. The survey included questions about 4 knot-tying videos. Complete responses were received from 160 veterinary surgeons. Familiarity with the knots ranged from 26% (constrictor knot) to 54% (miller’s knot). The modified miller’s knot and the miller’s knot were correctly named by a majority of surgeons (61% and 63%, respectively). There was no consensus for the constrictor knot, with the greatest number of respondents identifying it as the constrictor knot (38%) or the miller’s knot (31%). There was also no consensus for the strangle knot, with respondents split among identifying it as the miller’s knot (39%), modified miller’s knot (34%), or strangle knot (21%). There is apparent disagreement on the names of surgical friction knots among veterinary surgeons. Many participants indicated that they were not familiar with the knots demonstrated in the videos. Inconsistent terminology may impede educational efforts and hinder clear communication about types of knots.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether supplementation with probiotics over a 2-week period stabilizes the gut microbiota in dogs following prolonged cefovecin treatment. A significant number of clinical veterinarians prescribe oral probiotics to dogs in conjunction with systemic antibiotics with the intention of protecting against gut dysbiosis. The effects of antibiotics and probiotics in dogs have not been extensively studied, however, and the optimal treatment for gut dysbiosis remains uncertain. To investigate the impact of cefovecin and probiotics on the gut microbiota, 12 healthy companion dogs that underwent surgical castration were included in the study. The dogs were administered cefovecin immediately after surgery. Of the 12 dogs, 7 dogs were supplemented with oral probiotics for 2 wk after cefovecin treatment (probiotic group), whereas the other 5 dogs were not supplemented with probiotics (non-probiotic group). Fecal samples were collected from each dog before and 2 wk after cefovecin treatment and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina platform. We noted that cefovecin induced changes in bacterial diversity of the gut microbiota, with the Shannon index values of the non-probiotic group decreasing significantly, whereas those of the probiotic group remained stable (P = 0.025). Our findings suggest that supplementation with oral probiotics is recommended for preventing cefovecin-induced gut dysbiosis in dogs.

Prebiotics are important for gut health and immunity in animals and could promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. The objective of this study was to investigate the prebiotic potential of lactobin and glucans when combined with goat’s milk in the diet of cats. Twenty-four healthy cats (all about 2 y old) were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups. Group A was the control untreated group, Group B received supplementation with 30 mL of goat’s milk plus 20 mg of bovine colostrum, and Groups C and D were given 30 mL of goat’s milk plus 20 mg of beta-glucan from different companies. On day 28, samples of blood and feces were collected for the evaluation of serum biochemistry, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and microbiota in the feces. It was discovered that β-glucan significantly increased the level of SIgA in blood (P < 0.05) and the relative abundance of Bacteroides was greatly increased at the genus level (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the content of total bile acids in cats in Group D was higher than that in the other treatment groups (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant variation in other blood parameters among the different groups (P > 0.05). This suggests that β-glucan and lactobin has potential prebiotic properties in cats.