Attitudes and perceptions of veterinary paraprofessionals in New Zealand to postoperative pain in dogs and cats

AIM: To survey the attitudes and perceptions of veterinary paraprofessionals in New Zealand to postoperative pain in dogs and cats.

METHODS: In December 2011, veterinary paraprofessionals (VP) from throughout New Zealand were invited to participate in an online survey. Eleven questions, which were divided into five sections, were used to determine demographic information, the respondents’ assessment of pain after commonly performed surgeries in dogs and cats, their opinions on provision of analgesia, who had responsibility for pain monitoring and the use of any formal pain scoring system in the practice.

RESULTS: Data from 165 respondents were able to be used, and 162 (98%) respondents to the survey were female. According to the respondents’ estimates, fracture repair in dogs and repair of diaphragmatic hernias in cats had the highest pain score following surgery. Neutering procedures involving dogs were scored higher than for cats (p<0.01). All respondents agreed that animals benefit from perioperative analgesia. The veterinary nurse was reported to be predominantly responsible for monitoring pain in animals postoperatively by 116/165 (70.3%) respondents. Of 165 respondents, 154 (93%) considered that their knowledge of pain and assessment of pain could be enhanced.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey reflects the attitudes and perceptions of a sample of VP in New Zealand to postoperative pain in dogs and cats. The results indicate that all respondents believe that surgery results in sufficient pain to warrant analgesic therapy. Routine neutering surgeries were considered to be more painful in dogs than in cats. The current survey also provides information to educators on potential areas of focus, given that 93% of respondents felt that their knowledge of pain and assessment of pain could be enhanced.     

Computed Tomography of the Normal Bovine Tarsus

The objective of this study was to provide a detailed multiplanar computed tomographic (CT) anatomic reference for the bovine tarsus. The tarsal regions from twelve healthy adult cow cadavers were scanned in both soft and bone windows via a 16‐slice multidetector CT scanner. Tarsi were frozen at ?20^o C and sectioned to 10‐mm‐thick slices in transverse, dorsal and sagittal planes respecting the imaging protocol. The frozen sections were cleaned and then photographed. Anatomic structures were identified, labelled and compared with the corresponding CT images. The sagittal plane was indispensable for evaluation of bone contours, the dorsal plane was valuable in examination of the collateral ligaments, and both were beneficial for assessment of the tarsal joint articulations. CT images allowed excellent delineation between the cortex and medulla of bones, and the trabecular structure was clearly depicted. The tarsal soft tissues showed variable shades of grey, and the synovial fluid was the lowest attenuated structure. This study provided full assessment of the clinically relevant anatomic structures of the bovine tarsal joint. This technique may be of value when results from other diagnostic imaging techniques are indecisive. Images presented in this study should serve as a basic CT reference and assist in the interpretation of various bovine tarsal pathology.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Dorsal Proximal Synovial Plica of the Equine Metacarpo‐/Metatarsophalangeal Joint

A synovial plica is present at the dorsoproximal aspect of the fetlock joint. The objective of this study was to describe the location of the synovial plica during induced hyperextension using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. For this study 20 cadaver limbs from five Warmblood horses were used. Measurements were made of the dorsal; palmar/plantar length and the thickness of the plica with the joint in a normal position. During induced hyperextension of the joint, the position of the plica was described; the dorsal angle of extension and angle of contact between the proximal phalanx (P1) and the condyle were measured. The dorsal length differed between front/hind limbs and between the medial/lateral aspect of the joint. The angle of contact between P1 and condyle differed between front/hind limbs; between the lateral and medial aspect of the joint and between different positions of the plica. Four different positions of the plica were observed: shortened with the tip curved towards palmar/plantar; projecting distally; projecting towards dorsal and projecting distally with the tip interposed between P1 and the condyle. During induced hyperextension, a close relation is present between the synovial plica, P1 and the condyle with a variable position of the plica; which is suggestive for a contact interface between P1 and the metacarpal/metatarsal bone. However the plica does not seem to act consistently as a cushioning surface.     

Nodular granulomatous glossitis as the sole clinical sign in canine leishmaniosis

A 5.5‐year‐old, intact male Rottweiler dog was admitted with a history of multifocal nodular tongue lesions which progressively deteriorated during the previous year. Physical examination revealed several reddish nodules with central depression on the surface of the tongue in an otherwise healthy dog. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included eosinophilia and hyperproteinemia. Lingual nodule cytopathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry revealed Leishmania spp. amastigotes and a severe granulomatous glossitis. The dog was also seroreactive to L infantum antigens by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Clinical reevaluation 3 months after the institution of treatment with allopurinol and miltefosine indicated that the nodular lesions had completely regressed. In endemic areas, lingual nodular lesions may rarely be the sole clinical sign of canine leishmaniosis. Standard medical treatment may provide an excellent prognosis.