Advances in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs

Mast cell tumours are one of the most common tumours of the canine skin and have a reputation for being difficult to manage because of their variable clinical presentation, behaviour and response to treatment. This review of recent literature on canine mast cell tumours suggests that the majority of such tumours may not be as bad as their reputation suggests. Most grade I and grade II tumours can be managed successfully by good surgery. Recent literature also calls into question the utility of clinical staging systems and the value of assessing surgical margins for prognosis and highlights the paucity of well-conducted, case-controlled clinical trials in assessing the efficacy of medical management of high-risk tumours. In terms of more basic research, recent studies have implicated the stem cell factor receptor KIT as having a role in the aetiology of canine mast cell tumours and there appears to be an association between c-kit mutation and higher grade of tumour. This may offer a possible target for new therapeutic approaches.     

Veterinary Randomized Clinical Trial Reporting: A Review of the Small Animal Literature

The randomized clinical trial (RCT) is a valuable research method for the evaluation of new treatment and prevention regimens in veterinary medicine. Reporting of clinical trials in other disciplines has not been complete. Without complete information on the conduct and results of a clinical trial, readers cannot optimize their use of the information presented. This report represents an objective review of randomized clinical trials in the veterinary small animal literature from 1986 to 1990. Results indicate that RCT reports in the small animal veterinary literature are incomplete. The importance of reporting on particular aspects of RCT research is described.     

A general survey of tumours in the horse.

Published figures from veterinary schools indicate that tumours may account for about 1 to 3 per cent of surgical cases. In this paper an account is given of clinical and pathological aspects of the tumours that are most likely to be encountered in practice, either as visibly or palpably detectable masses of tissue, or as internal tumours responsible for clinical signs. Amongst the common and important tumours dealt with, the most prominent are "equine sarcoid", squamous-cell carcinoma (of eye region and of glans penis), granulosa-cell tumours and melanomas. Well over a hundred references provide entry to the relevant literature. The need for further pathological and clinical studies of equine tumours is stressed.     

Inguinal herniation in foals. Literature review and a case report

A literature review is given concerning the occurrence, clinical signs and possible treatment of the different types of inguinal herniation in foals. A six-week old filly with a reducible inguinal hernia is described in detail.     

Training students to appraise the quality of scientific literature

Implementing evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) into clinical practice requires not only the ability to retrieve, interpret, and apply the results of published scientific studies, but also the ability to critically evaluate the quality of the literature. These skills, however, are not widely taught in the veterinary curriculum. The objective of this study was to test a literature evaluation form (LEF) designed to assist veterinary students in appraising the quality of literature on animal reproduction and to compare their ability to do so with that of students who were provided with a control form (CF). The 68 participants were in their fifth year of study and attended a clinical rotation at the Clinic for Animal Reproduction. Students in the LEF group determined the quality of two scientific papers, considering statements about study design, information content, and objectivity, and determined rating points to obtain an overall score. Participants using the CF ranked the quality of the article without the assistance of the quality assessment form. The LEF group was able to more correctly assess the quality of the literature and the variability of the chosen evidence levels was higher in the CF group. The questionnaire was found to be a useful tool for the systematic assessment of the quality of publications within a reasonable period of time. Seventy-eight per cent of the participants agreed that the LEF helps them evaluate the quality and validity of biomedical scientific information. We conclude that courses that introduce EBVM should be taught in the first semesters of the veterinary curriculum so that students can develop competence in defining a clinical problem, retrieving information from the literature, and developing independent critical thinking.     

Training evidence-based veterinary medicine by collaborative development of critically appraised topics

In current veterinary education, skills such as retrieving, critically appraising, interpreting, and applying the results of published scientific studies are rarely taught. In this study, the authors tested the concept of team-based development of critically appraised topics (CATs) in training students in evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM). The 116 participants were in their fifth year and attending the clinical rotation at the Clinic for Animal Reproduction. Students developed 18 CATs of varying quality on topics of their choice. Preparing the CATs in teams stimulated discussion on the topic and the quality of the retrieved papers. Evaluation of the project revealed that more than 90% of the students endorsed training in critical appraisal of information in veterinary education. In addition, more than 90% considered the development of CATs an effective exercise for assessing the quality of scientific literature. A provided literature evaluation form was perceived as a useful tool for systematically summarizing a publication's quality. In conclusion, team-based development of CATs during clinical rotations is highly valuable for training in EBVM. Learning and intrinsic motivation seem to be enhanced by creating a situation similar to veterinary practice because the task is embedded into an authentic clinical problem. This approach to clinical training helps to prepare students to integrate evidence from literature into practice.     

The use of macrolides, lincomycin and tiamulin as animal feed drugs for pigs in Schleswig-Holstein

An evaluation of production orders for medicated feedingstuffs for pigs given in 1998 in Schleswig-Holstein showed macrolides, lincomycin and tiamulin as frequently used antibiotical ingredients. The presented study analyses the production orders which include macrolides, lincomycin or tiamulin in more detail. There were large deviations to the rules of good clinical practise for the use of antibiotics (2000). The applied dosage was often lower than suggested in the literature.     

Diagnostic imaging of congenital porto-systemic shunts in dogs and cats: a review

An overview of clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging features of congenital porto-systemic shunt (PSS) in dogs and cats is presented through the analysis of recent literature, and personal case log. Particular emphasis is given to diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic examination of PSS in the evaluation of shunt vessel anatomy, and of ancillary findings such as abnormalities of portal vein flow, portal branches, and liver size. Operative mesenteric portography to obtain information on PSS morphology and position, and quantitative hepatic scintigraphy, which allows the calculation of shunt fractions, are also described. Limitations for each diagnostic imaging technique are given.     

The use of sulfonamides and sulfonamide/trimethoprim combinations as animal feed drugs for pigs in Schleswig-Holstein

An evaluation of production orders for medicated feedingstuffs for pigs given in 1998 in Schleswig-Holstein showed sulphonamides and combinations of sulphonamides and trimethoprim as frequently used antibiotical ingredients. The presented study analyses the production orders which include sulphonamides and combinations of sulphonamides and trimethoprim in more detail. There were large deviations to the rules of good clinical practise for the use of antibiotics. The applied dosage was often lower than suggested in the literature.     

Horse milking industry in The Netherlands and Flanders

The horse milking industry is expanding in The Netherlands and Flanders. Horse milk has become popular due to its (supposed) health-enhancing properties. A horse-milking farm is not a common client for the Dutch veterinarian. When giving advice in this circumstance it should be recognised that these horses are production animals and that their milk is for human consumption. A review of the literature is given together with the results of an extensive enquiry amongst 13 horse-milking farms in The Netherlands and Flanders.     

Spontaneous fracture of the navicular bone in the horse

After a short review of previous literature about fractures of the navicular bone in horses, the symptoms and the pathological-anatomical changes of the condition are described. The most important clinical symptom is acute severe lameness without significant swellings, but with pronounced pain reaction to rotation of the coffin joint. After rest the lameness is reduced considerably, but without treatment it can persist for several years. Adherences between the deep flexor tendon and the site of the fracture and eventual damage to the coffin joint are considered to be the cause of the persisting lameness. Three case reports are given where the horses were shoed with full bar shoes with clips and high calks, and were given two months rest in a box. After that the rehabilitation was started with increasing load on the leg in question in spite of some initial lameness. The three horses all regained their full working capacity after ca. 6 months' treatment. There is no formation of callus at the site of the fracture, but only a firm formation of fibrous tissue which does not bother the horse unless the fragments are too much dislocated giving rise to a greater destruction of the coffin joint. Radiographically the fracture line persists for the rest of the horse's life.     

Effect of composition and quality of diet and feeding time on the kinetics and efficacy of some anthelmintic drugs: a mini-review

This article reviews the literature dealing with the effects of composition and quality of diet and feeding time on the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of some anthelmintic drugs in ruminants. Studies have suggested that greater availability, and therefore improved anthelmintic activity, is possible through temporary feed restriction. It is also recommended that anthelmintic drugs should not be given to animals whilst they are maintained on large feed intakes, particularly of lush pasture that promotes rapid gastric transit, as this may reduce drug availability and anthelmintic efficacy. Generally, feeding animals low-quality fibrous diets reduces the passage rate of digesta and allows more time for absorption of several anthelmintic drugs and their metabolites from the gut. Some kinetic data of drugs given to animals on such diets may be slightly different, but this does not necessarily indicate alteration of the dosages of the anthelmintic drug. Nonetheless, due consideration should be given to anthelmintic dosages under various dietary regimes if optimum efficacy is to be achieved at all times.     

The use of aminoglycosides, colistin and beta-lactam antibiotics as animal feed drugs for pigs in Schleswig-Holstein

An evaluation of production orders for medicated feedingstuffs for pigs given in 1998 in Schleswig-Holstein showed aminoglycosides, colistin and beta-lactam antibiotics as regularly used antibiotical ingredients. The presented study analyses the production orders which include these antibiotics more in detail particularly with regard to the prescribed dosages. In part, there were deviations to the rules of good clinical practise for the use of anitbiotics. The applied dosage of spectinomycin and apramycin was often lower than suggested in the literature. The low oral bioavailability of amoxicillin was not considered when using amoxicillin in medicated feedingstuffs.     

Review cutaneous lesions of the canine scrotum

Scrotal lesions are uncommon and often present a diagnostic challenge. In the veterinary literature there are no texts devoted to this subject. This study reviews and illustrates canine scrotal lesions following an aetiological layout with the aim of facilitating clinical identification and diagnosis. Infectious, immune-mediated, endocrinological and neoplastic conditions are the most commonly reported causes of scrotal lesions in the dog. They may affect the scrotum only or other parts of the body as well. The clinical presentation of the lesions, the presence of primary or secondary lesions and the presence of clinical signs of systemic disease may help in obtaining a diagnosis. In some cases further investigations are necessary to reach a definitive diagnosis. Histopathology aids in understanding pathological reactions of the scrotal skin but unfortunately this is not commonly carried out and few reports in the literature include histopathology. The list of conditions given in this review is not exhaustive and other, more rare, diseases may be encountered.     

Assessment of clinical reasoning skills in veterinary students prior to and after the clinical year of training

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of various clinical tracks within the veterinary medical clinical curriculum at Texas A&M University on clinical diagnostic proficiency as determined by pre- and post-training assessment. We expected that the clinical track chosen by the student would impact their measured outcome with bias toward higher scores in their chosen field. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. STUDY POPULATION: 32 students from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. PROCEDURES: By use of standardized, written case scenarios, clinical reasoning was assessed twice: once prior to the clinical (fourth) year of the curriculum and again at completion of the clinical year. Students demonstrated their abilities to collect and organize appropriate clinical data (history, physical examination, and laboratory findings), determine clinical diagnoses, and formulate and implement acceptable treatment modalities. Data from clinical assessments were compared for a given cohort and correlated with other measures (eg, grades, standardized test scores, and species-specific curricular track). RESULTS: Differences were detected in clinical diagnostic proficiency among students in different clinical tracks and for different species groups in the case scenarios. Tracking by species group in the clinical veterinary curriculum appeared to affect development of clinical reasoning and resulted in differential proficiency among cases for differing species groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Differences in clinical experiences between small animal tracks and all other track opportunities (large animal, mixed animal, and alternative) influenced the development of clinical proficiency in fourth-year veterinary students during their clinical training period.     

Body composition of the horse.

Seventeen horses were dissected and their organs and tissues weighed. The results of these dissections are presented together with comparisons of the data with that already available in the literature. Predictive equations for organs and tissue weights are also given which were derived by comparison of linear and allometric regression models using 4 different body weight indices.