Improving response rates: introducing an anonymous longitudinal survey research protocol for veterinary medical students

With the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education's recent summer 2005 theme issue on stress, the mental-health concerns of veterinary medical students has been brought to the forefront of the field. Since it is anticipated that research on this topic will continue and that educational institutions may implement changes based upon these results, it is of the utmost importance that this research be of the highest quality. Of particular concern with human-subject inquiries are response rates and confidentiality. In order to accommodate these concerns, an example of a survey research protocol that promotes high response rates and minimizes threats to internal validity influenced by student mistrust in assurances of confidentiality is presented. Specifically, the protocol is designed to ensure anonymity and to preserve the ability to track students longitudinally through the use of anonymous longitudinal identifiers. This protocol was tested with the first-year class of veterinary medical students at Kansas State University in October 2004 and March 2005. The two data collection periods yielded 90% and 76% response rates, respectively. The matching rate of participants, according to the anonymous longitudinal identifiers from Time 1 to Time 2, was 88%.     

Remote sensing of biotic and abiotic stress for irrigation management of cotton

The applicability of commercially available remote sensing instrumentation was evaluated for site-specific management of abiotic and biotic stress on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown under a center pivot low energy precision application (LEPA) irrigation system. This study was conducted in a field where three irrigation regimes (100%, 75%, and 50% ET_c) were imposed on areas of Phymatotrichum (root rot) with the specific objectives to (1) examine commercial remote sensing instrumentation for locating areas showing biotic and abiotic stress symptomology in a cotton field, (2) compare data obtained from commercial aerial infrared photography to that collected by infrared transducers (IRTs) mounted on a center pivot, (3) evaluate canopy temperature changes between irrigation regimes and their relationship to lint yield with IRTs and/or IR photography, and (4) explore the use of deficit irrigation and the use of crop coefficients for irrigation scheduling. Pivot-mounted IRTs and an IR camera were able to differentiate water stress among irrigation regimes. The IR camera distinguished between biotic (root rot) and abiotic (drought) stress with the assistance of groundtruthing. The 50% ET_c regime had significantly higher canopy temperatures than the other two regimes, which was reflected in significantly lower lint yields when compared to the 75% and 100% ET_c regimes. Deficit irrigation down to 75% ET_c had no impact on lint yield, indicating that water savings were possible without reducing yield.     

Hemostatic changes in dogs with naturally occurring sepsis

Sepsis is a frequent source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The goal of this case control study was to measure hemostatic changes in dogs with naturally occurring sepsis. Blood was collected within 24 hours of admission from 20 dogs that fulfilled the criteria for sepsis. Sepsis was defined as histologic or microbiological confirmation of infection and 2 or more of the following criteria: hypo- or hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, or leukopenia, leukocytosis, or > 3% bands. Culture and sensitivities were performed on appropriate samples from all septic dogs. Twenty-eight control dogs were enrolled on the basis of normal results of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemistry, and coagulation profile. Plasma samples were analyzed for prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP), D-dimer (DD) concentrations, antithrombin (AT) activity, and protein C (PC) activity. Data were compared between groups by chi-square or independent t-tests. PC (P < .001) and AT (P < .001) activities were significantly lower in dogs with sepsis compared to controls. Dogs with sepsis had significantly higher PT (P = .007), PTT (P = .005), D-dimer (P = .005), and FDP (P = .001) compared to controls. Platelet counts were not significantly different between groups. Ten of the 20 septic dogs (50%) died, but no association was identified between any of the measured variables and outcome. These findings are consistent with previous studies in animals with experimentally induced disease and in clinical studies of humans. On the basis of these results, further investigation of the role of AT and PC in canine sepsis is warranted.     

Serum nitrate and nitrite in dogs with spontaneous cardiac disease

The purpose of this study was to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) concentrations are high in dogs with chronic valvular disease (CVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) compared to healthy controls and to determine whether NO concentrations are correlated with type of cardiac disease, disease severity, medical therapy, or serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Blood was collected from 32 dogs with DCM, from 10 dogs with CVD, and from 10 healthy controls. Indirect determination of NO concentrations was performed by a commercial photoabsorbance assay that uses a Greiss reagent to measure the concentration of nitrite and nitrate (NN), end products of NO metabolism. TNF and IL-1 activities were measured by bioassay. Mean NN concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with heart disease (median, 4.57 microM; range, 0.00-31.05 microM) than in controls (median, 0.00 microM; range, 0.00-6.16 microM; P = .04). NN concentrations in dogs with cardiac disease were not correlated with type or severity of cardiac disease, medication type, or TNF and IL-1 concentrations. NN concentrations were inversely correlated with fractional shortening. The results of this study suggest that metabolites of NO are increased in some dogs with cardiac disease, but these increases appear to be independent of disease severity, TNF and IL-1 concentrations, and type of pharmacologic intervention.     

Osteomyelitis of the pelvis caused by Rhodococcus equi in a two-year-old horse

A 2-year-old female Quarter Horse was evaluated for hind limb lameness, fever (40 degrees C [104 degrees F]), and lethargy of 2 weeks' duration. Hypoproteinemia characterized by hypoalbuminemia and hyperfibrinogenemia was detected. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed thickening of the right dorsal colon wall. Treatment was instituted for putative right dorsal coliis. Lameness evaluation localized signs of pain to the lumbar vertebrae or pelvis. Radiography performed with the horse standing and nuclear scintigraphy revealed no abnormalities. Ventrodorsal pelvic radiography revealed a focal area of bony lysis and proliferation involving the cranial portion of the pubic symphysis. Aspiration yielded purulent exudate containing Rhodococcus equi, which was susceptible to erythromycin. Treatment included surgical debridement of the abscess and oral administration of erythromycin and rifampin. The horse's hind limb lameness completely resolved within 20 days. Infections of the pubic symphysis should be considered when lameness localized to the pelvis is associated with fever and an inflammatory leukogram.     

Packed red blood cell transfusions in dogs with gastrointestinal hemorrhage: 55 cases (1999-2001)

Fifty-five dogs received packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions for gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage during a 26-month period (1999 to 2001), accounting for 11.7% of the PRBC transfusions in that time. Thirty-nine (61%) dogs had an intestinal pathology (primary or secondary) as the cause of GI hemorrhage, including intestinal masses, gastroenteritis, hepatic disease, and renal disease. Nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was found frequently in dogs with GI hemorrhage. Sixteen (39%) dogs were identified as having immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) and associated GI hemorrhage. Dogs with IMT received more transfusions of PRBC than nonIMT dogs (P<0.03) and received a significantly larger total volume of PRBC (P<0.01) during hospitalization.     

Traumatic body wall herniation in 36 dogs and cats

Traumatic body wall hernias (TBWH) are serious sequelae to traumatic injury in dogs and cats. During the study period, 26 dogs and 10 cats with surgically managed TBWH were identified. Five cases (four dogs, one cat) did not have their hernias identified during the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Bite wounds were the most common cause of TBWH, accounting for 54% of canine and 40% of feline hernias. Twelve cases (nine dogs, three cats) had serious intra-abdominal injuries diagnosed in addition to their TBWH. Seventy-three percent of dogs and 80% of cats survived to hospital discharge. In addition, the authors report the occurrence of a unique cause of herniation, termed an autopenetrating hernia.     

Massive transfusion in dogs: 15 cases (1997-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics of dogs that received massive transfusion and identify the underlying diseases, complications, and outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 15 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs receiving a massive blood transfusion were evaluated for transfusion volume, underlying disease process or injury, benefits and complications of transfusion, and outcome. A massive transfusion was defined as transfusion of a volume of blood products in excess of the patient's estimated blood volume (90 ml/kg [40 ml/lb]) in a 24-hour period or transfusion of a volume of blood products in excess of half the patient's estimated blood volume in a 3-hour period. RESULTS: Six dogs had intra-abdominal neoplasia resulting in hemoabdomen, 3 had suffered a traumatic incident resulting in hemoabdomen, and 6 had non-traumatic, non-neoplastic blood loss. Mean volumes of packed RBC and fresh-frozen plasma administered were 66.5 ml/kg (30 ml/lb) and 22.2 ml/kg (10 ml/lb), respectively. All dogs evaluated developed low ionized calcium concentrations and thrombocytopenia. Transfusion reactions were recognized in 6 dogs. Four dogs survived to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that massive transfusion is possible and potentially successful in dogs. Predictable changes in electrolyte concentrations and platelet count develop.