Use of cytology as a diagnostic method in veterinary practice and assessment of communication between veterinary practitioners and veterinary clinical pathologists

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent of use of cytology as a diagnostic method in veterinary practice and assess how veterinarians in practice communicate with veterinary clinical pathologists. DESIGN: Online survey. STUDY POPULATION: 870 veterinarians. PROCEDURES: An online survey was made available to members of the Veterinary Information Network from October 1, 2004, through December 1, 2004. RESULTS: Respondents reported obtaining a median of 7 cytology samples weekly (range, 0 to 100). On average, respondents reported that 48.1% of the samples they collected were evaluated in-house, 29.5% were submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and 21.6% were evaluated in-house and then submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Most respondents (89.2%) reported using cytologic assessments to guide additional testing, and most (80.3%) indicated that they found the comments section of the cytology report to be the most important section. When asked to indicate the importance of various factors in their decision to use cytology as a diagnostic method, respondents overwhelmingly indicated that accuracy was very important. The most common reasons for consulting with a clinical pathologist were to discuss a discrepancy between clinical and cytologic findings, to clarify a diagnosis, and to ascertain the pathologist's confidence in a diagnosis. Respondents expressed more confidence in results when board-certified clinical pathologists were examining cytology samples than when others were. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that improving communication between veterinary practitioners and veterinary clinical pathologists could enhance the diagnostic value of cytologic examinations and improve clinical decision-making.     

Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy

Thousands of pet cats die each year with dilated cardiomyopathy, the cause of which is unknown. Although taurine is present in millimolar concentrations in the myocardium of all mammals, taurine depletion has not previously been associated with a decrease in myocardial function in any species. In this study, low plasma taurine concentrations associated with echocardiographic evidence of myocardial failure were observed in 21 cats fed commercial cat foods and in 2 of 11 cats fed a purified diet containing marginally low concentrations of taurine for 4 years. Oral supplementation of taurine resulted in increased plasma taurine concentrations and was associated with normalization of left ventricular function in both groups of cats. Since myocardial concentrations of taurine are directly related to plasma concentrations and low plasma concentrations were found to be associated with myocardial failure in cats, a direct link between decreased taurine concentration in the myocardium and decreased myocardial mechanical function is proposed.     

A cross-sectional pilot study to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for leptospirosis in South-Western Victorian dairy herds, 2017

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis, found worldwide, affecting many species of animals. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of Leptospira borgpetersenii sv Hardjo and Leptospira interrogans sv Pomona in cattle in dairy herds in South-Western Victoria, Australia. Fifty-three herds were enrolled in the study. Urine samples were collected from 15 late-lactation cows in each herd. A questionnaire was provided to herd managers at the time of each herd visit, asking them to describe the methods they used for controlling leptospirosis, including vaccination. Urine samples were pooled at the herd level and tested for leptospira spp. using real time PCR. Urine samples from individual cows within the positive pooled samples were then tested for Leptospira Hardjo and Leptospira Pomona using qPCR. Four of the 53 herds showed positive leptospirosis results giving an apparent prevalence of 8 (95% CI 2–18) leptospira-positive herds per 100 herds at risk. Based on the 53 completed questionnaires, leptospirosis vaccination programs were not compliant with label directions in 36 of the 52 vaccinated herds: 69 (95% CI 55–81) of 100 herd managers that routinely vaccinated for leptospirosis did not comply with label directions. One herd was completely unvaccinated. Based on our findings, we estimate that approximately 10% of dairy farms in South-Western Victoria are likely to be infected with leptospirosis. While most herds are vaccinating for leptospirosis, most are not doing so according to label directions. We conclude that herd managers need to be better educated regarding leptospirosis vaccination programs.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF METALLIC CLIP CAROTID ANASTOMOSIS IN SHEEP

The aim of this study was to use ultrasonography to assess an experimental carotid arteriotomy followed by end-to-end anastomosis in the lamb. Animals were subjected to an experimental surgical procedure consisting of a right carotid artery arteriotomy and subsequent end-to-end anastomosis with nonpenetrating metallic clips. Left side arteries were used as control. Duplex ultrasonography was performed postoperatively to assess the evolution of the experimental anastomosis. Measurements were made on the right carotid to assess blood flow, peak systolic velocity, and end diastolic velocity, as well as arterial diameter. Animals were periodically checked during the six-month postoperative period. Operated vessels appeared normal during follow up, with pulsatile movements and size similar to non operated carotid arteries. A hyperechoic band, perpendicular to the vessel main axis, was seen on the longitudinal image in operated arteries, but not in the control group. This band corresponded to the anastomosis area, where the clips were positioned. No image suggestive of thrombosis was observed in any operated artery, and blood flow was maintained through the experiment. Finally, a decrease of vessel lumen diameter was evidenced at the level of the anastomosis during the first 30 postoperative days, but it was not present after the 90th postsurgical day. Duplex ultrasonography is a useful imaging technique for the assessment of anatomical details, acoustical properties of the vascular lumen, and study of the intimal surface and vessel wall in growing arteries subjected to surgery. Metallic clips as suturing technique in arterial anastomosis allow for normal vascular growth, as shown by the evolution of flow velocity and vessel diameter.