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Photobiomodulation Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: A Review
Laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, has rapidly grown in popularity in human and veterinary medicine. With a number of proposed indications and broad, sometimes anecdotal, use in practice, research interest has expanded aimed at providing scientific support. Recent studies have shown that laser therapy alters the inflammatory and immune response as well as promotes healing for a variety of tissue types [1 –6]. This review will cover the history of the modality, basic principles, proposed mechanisms of action, evidence-based clinical indications, and will guide the practitioner through its application in practice. (Sour...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - July 4, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Lindsay Hochman Source Type: research

Evidence for clinical anaplasmosis and borreliosis in cats in Maine
The objectives of this study were to use data from client-owned cats in an Ixodes scapularis endemic area to evaluate for clinical associations with diagnostic test results for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi and to provide information from a group of cats with possible borreliosis as the cause of clinical manifestations of disease. All cases were evaluated at one clinic, medical records were evaluated, and sera from all cats were tested using one of two commercially available assays labeled for the use with dog sera (SNAP ® 4Dx® or SNAP® 4Dx® Plus; IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, ME). (Source: Topics...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - June 20, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kris Hoyt, Ramaswamy Chandrashekar, Melissa Beall, Christian Leutenegger, Michael R. Lappin Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Hydroxyurea-induced onychomadesis in a dog with chronic myeloid leukemia: a case report
A 12-year-old Rottweiler dog was presented with a history of prostration, weight loss and hyporexia for six months. Based on complete blood tests (hematological and biochemical analyses), bone marrow examination and imaging analysis, a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia was made. Treatment with hydroxyurea at a dosage of 18 mg/kg twice daily was not effective in controlling the high count of white blood cells. Furthermore, after 35 days of hydroxyurea treatment, the animal developed onycholysis, with sloughing of the claws of the left pelvic and left thoracic limbs and exposure of the distal phalanx. (Source: Topics in ...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - June 12, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Denner Santos dos Anjos, Paula Barbosa Costa, Larissa Fernandes Magalh ães, Oscar Rodrigo Sierra, Sabryna Gouveia Calazans, Carlos Eduardo Fonseca-Alves Source Type: research

Histograms of complete blood counts in dogs: Maximizing diagnostic information
Histograms, which are an integral part of the automated complete blood count, are now available through most of the automatic hematology analyzers used in veterinary clinical practice. Data concerning the size and number of blood cells are graphically presented in histograms, and their variations are also illustrated. Important information that is not apparent from numerical results are sometimes provided by histograms. Histograms are also referred to as frequency distribution curves and are essentially graphs resulting from the placement of the sizes of cells on the x-axis and the number of cells on the y-axis. (Source: T...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - June 3, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Labrini V. Athanasiou, Constantina N. Tsokana, Dimitra Pardali, Katerina Adamama Moraitou Source Type: research

Feline herpesvirus 1 and Mycoplasma spp. conventional PCR assay results from conjunctival samples from cats in shelters with suspected acute ocular infections
The objectives of this study were to report results for conventional PCR assays that amplify nucleic acids of FHV-1, Mycoplasma spp., C. (Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine)
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - May 29, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Dara Zirofsky, Wendy Rekers, Cynthia Powell, Jennifer Hawley, Julia Veir, Michael Lappin Source Type: research

Veterinary Neurologic Rehabilitation: The Rationale for a Comprehensive Approach
The increase in client willingness to pursue surgical procedures, the heightened perceived value of veterinary patients, and the desire to provide comprehensive medical care have driven the recent demand of using an integrative treatment approach in veterinary rehabilitation. Physical therapy following neurological injury has been the standard of care in human medicine for decades, while similar rehabilitation techniques have only recently been adapted and utilized in veterinary medicine. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is the most common neurologic disease currently addressed by veterinary rehabilitation specialists and will be ...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - May 10, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Lauren R. Frank, Patrick F.P. Roynard Source Type: research

Intranasal Osteosarcoma in a Dog – A Case Report
This report describes a six-year-old, female, cross-breed dog presented with signs of 90 days duration and diagnosed with a mass located in the right nasal cavity. Radiography, rhinoscopy and computed tomography findings suggested the presence of an intranasal tumor. Osteosarcoma in the nasal cavity was diagnosed based on histopathological examination and clinical and imaging findings. (Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine)
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - April 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Gabriela Noronha de Toledo, Pamela Rodrigues Reina Moreira, Daniele Rolemberg, Andreia Coutinho, Julio Edward Hough Monteiro, Mareliza P. Menezes, Maria Eduarda Moutinho, Felipe Augusto Ruiz Sueiro, Rosemeri de Oliveira Vasconcelos, Paola de Castro Moraes Source Type: research

Readability Evaluations of Veterinary Client Handouts and Implications for Patient Care
Health literacy and readability are important considerations for veterinary medicine, as veterinarians commonly distribute brochures, leaflets and info-graphics to explain health related issues to pet owners. Educational materials that are poorly comprehended by the intended audience could result in negative, unintended consequences. Thus, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have recommended readability levels for text on health information be targeted between the fourth and sixth grade levels to accommodate a highly diverse public. (Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine)
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - April 5, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kenneth D. Royal, M. Katie Sheats, April A. Kedrowicz Tags: Regular Articles Source Type: research

Readability Evaluations of Veterinary Client Handouts and Implications for Patient Care
Health literacy and readability are important considerations for veterinary medicine, as veterinarians commonly distribute brochures, leaflets and info-graphics to explain health related issues to pet-owners. Educational materials that are poorly comprehended by the intended audience could result in negative, unintended consequences. Thus, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have recommended readability levels for text on health information be targeted between the 4th and 6th grade levels to accommodate a highly diverse public. (Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine)
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - April 5, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kenneth D. Royal, April Kedrowicz Source Type: research

A Review: Emergency Management of Dogs With Suspected Epileptic Seizures
Dogs with seizure disorders are commonly presented to the general practitioner for initial evaluation. The most common diagnosis provided is idiopathic epilepsy. As witnessing seizures is often traumatic for owners, it is important for the practitioner to understand seizure classification, know when to initiate antiepileptic drug therapy and be comfortable with client education regarding seizures. This review briefly discusses the most up-to-date classification of seizures, the necessity to obtain accurate histories and complete examinations, base-line diagnostics to perform, the importance of owner education, and when to ...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - March 20, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tessa Meland, Sheila Carrera-Justiz Tags: Review articles Source Type: research

A Review: Emergency Management of Dogs with Suspected Epileptic Seizures
Dogs with seizure disorders are commonly presented to the general practitioner for initial evaluation. The most common diagnosis provided is idiopathic epilepsy. As witnessing seizures is often traumatic for owners, it is important for the practitioner to understand seizure classification, know when to initiate anti-epileptic drug therapy and be comfortable with client education regarding seizures. This review briefly discusses the most up-to-date classification of seizures, the necessity to obtain accurate histories and complete examinations, base-line diagnostics to perform, the importance of owner education, and when to...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - March 20, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tessa Meland, Sheila Carrera-Justiz Source Type: research

Whelping and Dystocia: Maximizing Success of Medical Management
Dystocia can be defined broadly as “difficult birth” or more specifically as difficulty in the bitch expelling the pups through the cervix, vagina, and vestibule. It is a fairly common emergency presented to the small animal practitioner with an incidence rate of approximately 5%. The incidence of dystocia is highest in toy and b rachycephalic breeds, and occurs frequently in small litters ( (Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine)
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - March 16, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Erin E. Runcan, Marco A. Coutinho da Silva Tags: Review Article Source Type: research

Understanding and Treating Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia in Dogs
Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are common and debilitating conditions in toy and small breed dogs. CM, considered ubiquitous in the cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) population, results in abnormal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics which can lead to the development of SM. The clinical signs associated with CM/SM are frequently confused with other otologic and dermatologic conditions, which may delay appropriate treatment. A definitive diagnosis of CM/SM requires advanced imaging; however, due to expense associated with this, many cases are managed presumptively and symptomatically for the condition. (So...
Source: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine - March 15, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Ashley C. Hechler, Sarah A. Moore Tags: Review Article Source Type: research