Elliott DL Dip Vet Nur BVSc, Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital, Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital The most obvious characteristic distinguishing the reptiles from other classes of animals is the presence of a scaled skin. Scales consist of modified epidermis and are formed from specialised keratin. Scutes, present in crocodilians and turtles also have underlying bony… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: Dec 2016
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Controlling the crisis
Eric Monnet, DVM, PhD, FAHA, DACVS, DECVS Although widely recognised, gastric dilatation-volvulus is still not fully understood. This overview provides up-to-date information on the possible causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this life-threatening syndrome. Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is an acute medical and surgical condition caused by several pathophysiologic effects that occur secondary to gastric… Continue Reading
Pimobendan: A Treatment for Preclinical Heart Failure
KE Joubert BVSc, MMedVet (Anaes) – Extraordinary Lecturer: Pharmacology – Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Reviewed: Marlies Bohm BVSc DSAM MMedVet(Med) DipECVIM -CA Heart disease is one of the top 5 causes of death in dogs, in the United Kingdom with 75% of these cases being from mitral valve… Continue Reading
Radiographic Pointers for Cardio Megaly Radiographic Identification of the Cardiac Chambers: Clockface Analogy
Compiled by Dr Liesel van der Merwe. Images courtesy Dr Lynelle Sweers Dorsoventral view 11:00 – 01:00 : aortic arch 01:00 – 02:00 : main pulmonary artery 02:30 – 03:00 : left auricle 05:00 – 09:00 : right ventricle 09:00 – 11:00 : right atrium Figure 1: DV view of the normal cardiac silhouette… Continue Reading
Calculation of The Vertebral Heart Score (VHS)
Compiled by Dr Liesel van der Merwe. Image courtesy Dr Lynelle Sweers 1. Using a lateral thoracic radiograph, ensure the thoracic vertebrae T4 to T12 are clearly delineated. 2. Using calipers, measure the longest axis of the cardiac silhouette from the carina of the mainstem bronchus to the apex (designated “L”). 3. Transfer this long… Continue Reading
Lipid Rescue: a Novel Antidote?
Dr. Wilco Botha, BSc BVSc – Small Animal Internal Medicine Resident Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Intravenous lipid emulsion has been utilised as the fat component of parenteral nutrition and as a vehicle for drug delivery in drugs such as propofol for over half a century. More recently it has gained acceptance in… Continue Reading
Do heavier cats need higher dosages of amlodipine to control systemic hypertension? JOURNAL SCAN
Factors Influencing the Relationship Between the Dose of Amlodipine Required for Blood Pressure Control and Change in Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Cats. E.S. Bijsmans et al Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2016(30):1630-1636. Summarised by: Dr Wilco Botha BVSc (Resident Small Animal Medicine) Why they did it: Systolic hypertension is a common finding that requires therapy… Continue Reading
Effects of Cyclosporin on the Antiplatelet Effect of Aspirin in Normal Dogs JOURNAL SCAN
Thomason J, Archer, T et al 2016. The Effects of Cyclosporin and Aspirin on Platelet Function in Normal Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Vol 30 (6):1022 -1030 Summarised by: Dr Liesel van der Merwe, BVsc MMedVet(Med) Small Animals Why they did it: Mortality rates for IMHA are high and thromboembolic disease, especially pulmonary thromboembolism, is… Continue Reading
Practical Gastroinstestinal Function Testing
Albert E. Jergens, DVM, PhD, DACVIM Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University These tests can help narrow down your differential veterinary diagnoses for chronic enteropathies. Chronic enteropathies are common in dogs and cats and include adverse reactions to food, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and antibiotic-responsive diarrhoea. While definitive diagnosis often requires collecting… Continue Reading
The Idiosyncrasies of Itchy Cats
Heather Lewellen, DVM – As discussed with: Rudyana Ghubash DVM DACVD Cats are not small dogs; we’ve heard that before. It’s never quite so true in veterinary medicine as for a dermatologist! “Cats don’t do things that dogs do,” says Rudayna Ghubash, DVM, DACVD, Animal Dermatology Clinic in Marina del Rey, California. “You can’t base your… Continue Reading
