American journal of veterinary research最新文献

Objective: To evaluate serum triglyceride concentrations during target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol in healthy cats undergoing elective orchiectomy and to investigate the relationship between cumulative propofol dose and triglyceride concentrations.

Methods: 8 healthy male cats were anesthetized using propofol administered via a TCI system targeting a plasma concentration of 7 µg/mL for 45 minutes. Blood samples were collected at baseline, after premedication, immediately after induction, and at 20 and 40 minutes of infusion for determination of serum triglyceride concentrations.

Results: Serum triglycerides increased significantly following propofol administration, with elevations detectable immediately after induction. Median concentrations were 41 mg/dL (range, 31 to 75) at baseline, 32 mg/dL (range, 20 to 99) after premedication, 128 mg/dL (range, 72 to 215) immediately after induction, 132 mg/dL (range, 106 to 227) at 20 minutes of infusion, and 143 mg/dL (range, 57 to 230) at 40 minutes of infusion. During anesthesia, 75% of the animals exceeded the reference interval for triglycerides. No significant correlation was observed between propofol cumulative doses and triglyceride concentrations.

Conclusions: Target-controlled propofol infusion is associated with a rapid increase in serum triglyceride concentrations in cats even during short anesthetic procedures.

Clinical relevance: Given the use of prolonged propofol infusions in veterinary anesthesia, these findings highlight the importance of considering potential changes in serum triglyceride concentrations, particularly in patients with underlying lipid or metabolic dysfunction.

Objective: To assess veterinarians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antifungal use and stewardship.

Methods: A survey was developed using an iterative approach with feedback from experts in antifungal therapy and pilot testing among target audiences. The survey was administered in June of 2025 via an online platform to primary care practitioners, dermatologists, and internists and was closed when at least 200 veterinarians had responded. Respondents' scores were calculated for fungal infections and antifungal knowledge, antifungal resistance and stewardship concerns, and comfort with diagnosing fungal infections and prescribing antifungals. Median scores were compared between primary care veterinarians and specialists.

Results: 210 veterinarians (100 primary care practitioners, 49 dermatologists, 61 internists) completed the survey. Significant differences were identified in the median knowledge, concern, and comfort scores, with specialists having higher median scores for all scales. Dermatologists reported significantly higher median weekly topical and systemic antifungal prescribing than primary care veterinarians and internists (20 vs 7.5 vs 0 topical prescriptions/wk, respectively; 9 vs 0 vs 0.5 systemic prescriptions/wk, respectively). Always performing in-house cytology for suspected yeast dermatitis was reported by 49 of 49 dermatologists (100%), 53 of 100 primary care veterinarians (53%), and 19 of 61 internists (31.3%). Always performing in-house cytology for suspected yeast otitis externa was reported by 49 of 49 dermatologists (100%), 39 of 100 primary care veterinarians (39%), and 57 of 61 internists (92.8%).

Conclusions: Variability in fungal infection and antifungal knowledge, diagnostic practices, and antifungal prescribing across veterinarians highlights the need for targeted antifungal stewardship education.

Clinical relevance: This study provides foundational information for developing veterinary antifungal stewardship initiatives.

Objective: To compare clinical parameters and medical interventions during the first hour of inhalant anesthesia in dogs administered medetomidine-vatinoxan (Zenalpha [ZEN]) versus dexmedetomidine (DEX) as IM preanesthetic agents.

Methods: Medical records were searched to identify dogs premedicated with ZEN between August 2022 and January 2025. Dogs administered DEX between July 2021 and May 2026 were then identified and matched with α2-adrenergic receptor agonist dose equivalence prioritized. Generalized estimating equation models were constructed to assess associations between variables of interest and premedication type, while accounting for repeated measurements within paired matched sets.

Results: The ZEN group included 24 dogs (ZEN dose median, 10 μg/kg; range, 5 to 26 μg/kg), whereas the DEX group included 48 dogs (DEX dose median, 5 μg/kg; range, 3 to 10 μg/kg), with no differences between groups. Compared with DEX, premedication with ZEN was associated with an 18 beats/min higher heart rate, whereas mean arterial pressure was 19 mm Hg lower. Dogs receiving ZEN had 9.3-fold greater odds of receiving an IV fluid bolus and 6.8-fold greater odds of vasopressor administration. No differences were detectable between groups in IV interventions administered for a light plane of anesthesia.

Conclusions: Findings indicated ZEN was associated with intraoperative hypotension in dogs during the first hour of volatile anesthesia, despite significantly higher heart rates. This effect translated into a significantly greater need for hemodynamic intervention.

Clinical relevance: The effects of ZEN on arterial blood pressure warrant careful hemodynamic monitoring and preparedness to provide blood pressure support in dogs undergoing inhalant anesthesia.

Objective: To compare the effects of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) to standard bupivacaine hydrochloride (B) formulation following neuraxial injection in inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

Methods: 12 adult bearded dragons (0.35 ± 0.13 kg) were sedated with alfaxalone (15 mg/kg SC), and neuraxial injections were performed with B treatment (1.5 mg/kg to 0.3 mL/kg) and LB treatment (4 mg/kg to 0.3 mL/kg) in all animals in a randomized, crossover, blinded experimental design with a 7-day interval. Motor/sensory block was assessed by mechanical stimulation of limbs; 25%, 50%, and 75% of the trunk's length; and cloacal vent tone. Heart rate, respiratory rate, righting reflex, and head position were evaluated.

Results: Overall success was 100% for B treatment and 92% for LB treatment. Median onset was 5 minutes for both B and LB treatments. Duration and extent of blockade were similar between treatments; however, pelvic limb motor blockade was less consistent in the LB treatment (7 of 12 animals), with 3 animals showing unilateral blockade. Apnea requiring manual ventilation occurred in 2 animals in the B treatment and in 2 animals in the LB treatment.

Conclusions: Bupivacaine hydrochloride at 1.5 mg/kg (0.3 mL/kg) produced reliable motor and sensory blockade but resulted in respiratory complications. Liposomal bupivacaine at 4 mg/kg (0.3 mL/kg) resulted in a similar onset, extent and duration of blockade but less consistent motor blockade and was also associated with respiratory complications.

Clinical relevance: Neuraxial injection continues to show promise as a regional anesthetic technique in healthy bearded dragons, providing extensive motor and sensory blockade. However, respiratory complications occurred with both bupivacaine formulations at the doses evaluated, indicating that lower doses should be used. Further studies are needed to establish the safety profile and clinical advantages of lipossomal bupivacaine before clinical use.

Objective: To describe the spatial and gestational stage-associated distribution of glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8) and glycogenin-1 (GN1) immunoreactivity in rat implantation sites during early gestation.

Methods: This descriptive archival immunohistochemical study examined paraffin-embedded implantation site material collected in 2001. Glucose transporter 8 and GN1 were immunolabeled on separate serial sections using biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase detection with 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole as chromogen. Sections were evaluated independently by 2 observers with respect to anatomical distribution and cellular localization.

Results: Implantation site material from 32 pregnant Wistar rats was examined (gestational day [GD]-7, n = 10; GD8, 11; GD9, 11). Glucose transporter 8 immunoreactivity was detected at GD7 in the parietal and visceral endoderm and extraembryonic ectoderm and at GD8 additionally in the decidua. No specific GN1 immunoreactivity above background was detected in the decidua examined at GD7; GN1 was detected at GD8 in the extraembryonic compartment and the decidua, with weak immunoreactivity in adjacent myometrial smooth muscle cells. At GD9, both proteins were evident in trophoblast giant cells.

Conclusions: GLUT8 and GN1 showed distinct spatial and stage-associated patterns of immunoreactivity during early rat implantation. Because the 2 proteins were labeled on separate serial sections and the compartments available for assessment differed between markers at GD7, comparisons should be restricted to anatomical compartment-level distribution and do not establish cellular colocalization or functional interaction.

Clinical relevance: These descriptive data provide baseline information on glucose- and glycogen-related protein distribution during early implantation and may inform future comparative studies of early placental development in veterinary species.

Objective: To examine whether positive leadership behaviors, conceptualized as Psychological Safety, Purpose, Path, Partnership, and Positive Communication, are associated with staff sentiment and practice performance and whether alignment between leaders and staff perceptions matters.

Methods: A voluntary, cross-sectional, 360° leadership survey was conducted across independent veterinary practices, with staff additionally reporting intent to stay and work engagement. Survey data were linked, where available, to practice financial and operational metrics.

Results: In multivariate analyses, higher staff-rated leadership quality was associated with stronger intent to stay and higher engagement, and higher revenue per staff hour was also associated with stronger intent to stay. Indicators of greater workload intensity were associated with lower engagement, suggesting that operational pressures may dampen engagement even in supportive cultures. Further work is needed to determine the impact of positive leadership behaviors on practice financial performance.

Conclusions: Overall, these findings provide 360° insights that leadership as experienced by staff is meaningfully related to engagement and retention intentions in independent veterinary practices. The insights underscore the value of structured staff feedback and leadership development while highlighting the need for longitudinal research to assess downstream financial effects.

Clinical relevance: Misaligned perceptions between staff and independent veterinary practice leaders of leadership behavior may contribute to organizational risk. Investment in and demonstration of positive leadership behaviors can reduce staff turnover, increase staff engagement, and support improved patient care.

Objective: To perform a partial validation of a point-of-care assay (Vcheck cardiac troponin I [VC-cTnI; cTnI]) for measurement of cTnI in canine serum and to perform a method comparison between the VC-cTnI and an established chemiluminescent assay (ADVIA Centaur XP High-Sensitivity Troponin I [AC-cTnI-HS]).

Methods: From September 4, 2024, through August 21, 2025, surplus canine serum was collected from a diagnostic laboratory, and within-day variability, dilutional parallelism, spiking recovery, and the effect of common interferents (hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia) were analyzed for the VC-cTnI assay. A method comparison of the VC-cTnI and AC-cTnI-HS assays was performed with 121 canine serum samples.

Results: The within-day coefficient of variation ranged from 8.1% to 43.8%, decreasing as cTnI concentrations increased. Dilutional parallelism and spiking recovery assessments had mean ± SD observed-to-expected ratios of 80.5 ± 33.2% (range, 21.1% to 122.2%) and 112.8 ± 35.6% (range, 46.0% to 173.9%), respectively. There was no interference from icterus, hemolysis, or lipemia. There was a positive correlation between the VC-cTnI and AC-cTnI-HS assays (Spearman ρ, 0.742), though 16 of 121 samples (13.2%) were below the VC-cTnI detectable limit.

Conclusions: The VC-cTnI assay lacked precision for measurement of concentrations below 0.2 ng/mL, but within-day variability was acceptable for higher concentrations.

Clinical relevance: The VC-cTnI assay is more precise when measuring higher cTnI concentrations and can detect myocardial injury in dogs. Results in the normal and equivocal range of the manufacturer's reference interval may be more challenging to interpret because of suboptimal precision in this range.

Objective: To describe how veterinary employees and supervisors perceive supervisor support levels and appropriateness in small- and medium-sized practices and to determine perception differences.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted in May of 2023. Convenience sampling provided preliminary insights (with bias/generalizability limits) from participants recruited in the Netherlands via social media, veterinary journals, and university/organization emails. The People Management Scale (PMS) measured supervisor support levels across 4 dimensions: general human resources practices, tailor-made arrangements, support for commitment, and support for career development. The Too Little/Too Much rating scale assessed the appropriateness of the individual items of the PMS.

Results: The sample included 94 veterinary employees and 54 supervisors from small- and medium-sized practices in the Netherlands. Employees rated supervisor support levels and appropriateness significantly lower than supervisors across all PMS dimensions and Too Little/Too Much items, revealing substantial perception gaps.

Conclusions: Supervisors overestimate how their support is perceived by employees. This gap highlights a critical challenge for human resource management in veterinary practice.

Clinical relevance: Perception differences may limit supervisory support effectiveness and contribute to veterinary attrition. Addressing this gap through improved communication, multisource feedback, and alignment of expectations could enhance supervisory support and improve employee retention in veterinary practices.

Objective: To compare maximum failure load among 3-D-printed canine femoral neck models differing in fracture angle and fixation configuration.

Methods: This experimental biomechanical study was conducted in a university research laboratory from September 10, 2025, through March 10, 2026. Polycarbonate 3-D-printed models were created using left femoral CT data from a 2-year-old 11.9-kg Shiba Inu. The group configurations were a 50° femoral neck fracture stabilized with one 2.5-mm fully threaded headless cannulated screw (HCS) and an antirotation pin (1S1P50), a 70° fracture with the same fixation (1S1P70), and a 70° fracture stabilized with 2 parallel 2.5-mm HCSs (2S70). Initial construct stiffness was estimated from load-crosshead displacement curves. Maximum failure load, the primary outcome, was determined under single axial compression of the femoral head.

Results: 18 models were analyzed, with 6 in each group. There was no difference in initial construct stiffness among groups. Mean maximum failure loads were 511.5 N (SD, 81.9) in 1S1P50, 502.0 N (SD, 47.2) in 1S1P70, and 679.2 N (SD, 102.5) in 2S70. Maximum failure load was higher in 2S70 than in 1S1P70 (estimated difference, 176 N; Bonferroni-adjusted 98.3% CI, 31 to 301 N).

Conclusions: Under static axial loading, 2S70 had a higher maximum failure load than 1S1P70, with no difference between 1S1P50 and either of the other 2 groups.

Clinical relevance: Under static axial loading, 2 HCSs had a higher maximum failure load than did 1 HCS with an antirotation pin at a 70° fracture angle in 3-D-printed canine femoral neck models.