VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review two studies that describe the transfusion practices used for the treatment of dogs hospitalized after trauma and for dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses. These are both large retrospective studies out of Tufts University, a busy veterinary teaching hospital in Massachusetts.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review pulmonary hypertension (often called cor pulmonale) and the use of sildenafil (more famously known as Viagra). Pulmonary hypertension is classified is as an increase in either pre-capillary (pulmonary arterial ) or post-capillary (pulmonary venous) pulmonary resistance. In dogs, the disease occurs most commonly in older, small breed dogs as a result of chronic lung disease, chronic left-sided heart disease, heartworm infection, pulmonary thromboembolism, or left-to-right cardiac shunts (which is one of the reasons why it's so important that you treat underlying lung disease before it progresses to pulmonary hypertension!). The clinical signs of pulmonary hypertension may be indistinguishable from primary respiratory disease or congestive heart failure and includ tachypnea, cyanosis, dyspnea, increased respiratory effort, syncope, etc. Definitive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is made via echocardiogram by estimation of pulmonary artery pressures (typically, a dog needs to have tricuspid regurgitation to have this measured on echo). Thoracic radiographs remain an important component to the medical workup in these patients (usually performed prior to echocardiography).

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review pulmonary hypertension (often called cor pulmonale) and the use of sildenafil (more famously known as Viagra). Pulmonary hypertension is classified is as an increase in either pre-capillary (pulmonary arterial ) or post-capillary (pulmonary venous) pulmonary resistance. In dogs, the disease occurs most commonly in older, small breed dogs as a result of chronic lung disease, chronic left-sided heart disease, heartworm infection, pulmonary thromboembolism, or left-to-right cardiac shunts (which is one of the reasons why it's so important that you treat underlying lung disease before it progresses to pulmonary hypertension!). The clinical signs of pulmonary hypertension may be indistinguishable from primary respiratory disease or congestive heart failure and includ tachypnea, cyanosis, dyspnea, increased respiratory effort, syncope, etc. Definitive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is made via echocardiogram by estimation of pulmonary artery pressures (typically, a dog needs to have tricuspid regurgitation to have this measured on echo). Thoracic radiographs remain an important component to the medical workup in these patients (usually performed prior to echocardiography).

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the important topic of the prevalence of suicide in our field. Why do veterinarians and veterinary technicians have a higher rate of suicide as compared to other fields? In a recent publication in JAVMA by Nett et al, they review the field of mental health and wellness in the veterinary profession. This is an area receiving some much-needed attention recently, due to the occurrence of some widely publicized suicides amongst veterinary professionals during the last few years. (BTW, you can check out our free VETgirl webinar on suicide by Jeannine Moga here).

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the important topic of the prevalence of suicide in our field. Why do veterinarians and veterinary technicians have a higher rate of suicide as compared to other fields? In a recent publication in JAVMA by Nett et al, they review the field of mental health and wellness in the veterinary profession. This is an area receiving some much-needed attention recently, due to the occurrence of some widely publicized suicides amongst veterinary professionals during the last few years. (BTW, you can check out our free VETgirl webinar on suicide by Jeannine Moga here).

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review whether or not there is an association between hypothyroidism and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Doberman Pinschers are overrepresented among canine patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (familial/genetic), as well as those diagnosed with hypothyroidism. So the question is, is there a link? This is a very controversial topic. After all, we know that thyroid hormone plays an important role in the systolic function of the myocardium and cardiac rate and rhythm via its effect on density of beta-adrenergic receptors and their sensitivity to catecholamines. A deficiency of thyroid hormone has been associated with reduced myocardial function and alterations in cardiac conduction and heart rate thus leading to the premise that the hypothyroid state may be a metabolic etiology for dilated cardiomyopathy. Studies to date have not supported that premise.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review whether or not there is an association between hypothyroidism and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Doberman Pinschers are overrepresented among canine patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (familial/genetic), as well as those diagnosed with hypothyroidism. So the question is, is there a link? This is a very controversial topic. After all, we know that thyroid hormone plays an important role in the systolic function of the myocardium and cardiac rate and rhythm via its effect on density of beta-adrenergic receptors and their sensitivity to catecholamines. A deficiency of thyroid hormone has been associated with reduced myocardial function and alterations in cardiac conduction and heart rate thus leading to the premise that the hypothyroid state may be a metabolic etiology for dilated cardiomyopathy. Studies to date have not supported that premise.

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Galina Hayes, PhD, DVM, DACVECC, DACVS (Hello, letters!), Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. In her recent retrospective study performed at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, she evaluated the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and death following hydroxyethyl starch (HES 10% 250/0.5/5:1) administration in dogs (2007-2010). In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated 180 dogs receiving HES compared to 242 random dogs receiving just IV fluids. This is the first veterinary paper evaluating the risk of AKI with HES administration; however, be aware of the limitations of the study (e.g., retrospective, higher cumulative crystalloid dosing differences, higher transfusion rates, etc.). That said, before you reach for a bag of colloids, listen to this VETgirl podcast!

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Galina Hayes, PhD, DVM, DACVECC, DACVS (Hello, letters!), Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. In her recent retrospective study performed at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, she evaluated the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and death following hydroxyethyl starch (HES 10% 250/0.5/5:1) administration in dogs (2007-2010). In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated 180 dogs receiving HES compared to 242 random dogs receiving just IV fluids. This is the first veterinary paper evaluating the risk of AKI with HES administration; however, be aware of the limitations of the study (e.g., retrospective, higher cumulative crystalloid dosing differences, higher transfusion rates, etc.). That said, before you reach for a bag of colloids, listen to this VETgirl podcast!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review a recent study titled Development of anemia, phlebotomy practices, and blood transfusion requirements in 45 critically ill cats. This study hypothesized that iatrogenic anemia occurs in hospitalized cats undergoing repeated venipuncture. This has been observed in people, especially critically ill children, and has been associated with the need for blood transfusions. Unfortunately, we know that transfusions can increase hospital cost to clients, risk of transfusion reactions, and risks of complications such as transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Given that less is known about iatrogenic anemia in cats, the objectives of this study were to describe the incidence and development of anemia, to document phlebotomy practices and transfusion requirements in these cats, and to evaluate the association between these factors and duration of hospitalization and outcome in critically ill cats.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review a recent study titled Development of anemia, phlebotomy practices, and blood transfusion requirements in 45 critically ill cats. This study hypothesized that iatrogenic anemia occurs in hospitalized cats undergoing repeated venipuncture. This has been observed in people, especially critically ill children, and has been associated with the need for blood transfusions. Unfortunately, we know that transfusions can increase hospital cost to clients, risk of transfusion reactions, and risks of complications such as transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Given that less is known about iatrogenic anemia in cats, the objectives of this study were to describe the incidence and development of anemia, to document phlebotomy practices and transfusion requirements in these cats, and to evaluate the association between these factors and duration of hospitalization and outcome in critically ill cats.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review the use of antivenom in dogs. Is it worth the $500/bottle? How many bottles should we use? Is it necessary in all cases? So, we interview Dr. Daniel Foy, DACVIM, DACVECC, who published a study called "Retrospective evaluation of the effect of antivenom administration on hospitalization duration and treatment cost for dogs envenomated by Crotalus viridis: 113 dogs (2004-;2012)." This was a retrospective study looking at a large case population (over 100 dogs) who were envenomated with Crotalus viridis, or more commonly known as the prairie rattlesnake (which isn't as bad as other types of Crotalid species). In this study, it appeared that the use of antivenom did not positively affect outcome or duration of hospitalization, and actually increased costs! So, test your envenomation knowledge here in today's VETgirl podcast.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review the use of antivenom in dogs. Is it worth the $500/bottle? How many bottles should we use? Is it necessary in all cases? So, we interview Dr. Daniel Foy, DACVIM, DACVECC, who published a study called "Retrospective evaluation of the effect of antivenom administration on hospitalization duration and treatment cost for dogs envenomated by Crotalus viridis: 113 dogs (2004-;2012)." This was a retrospective study looking at a large case population (over 100 dogs) who were envenomated with Crotalus viridis, or more commonly known as the prairie rattlesnake (which isn't as bad as other types of Crotalid species). In this study, it appeared that the use of antivenom did not positively affect outcome or duration of hospitalization, and actually increased costs! So, test your envenomation knowledge here in today's VETgirl podcast.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the usefulness of measuring iron levels in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Now, you probably don't think you see SIRS or septic cases, but you do. SIRS is a result of overstimulation of the inflammatory cascade (with secondary release of inflammatory mediators). SIRS can be seen due to thermal injury (e.g., heat stroke, burns), immune-mediated disease, etc. and can be seen with neoplasia, pancreatitis, trauma, infectious disease, etc. The definition of SIRS is very loose, unfortunately and includes two of the following criteria:

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the usefulness of measuring iron levels in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Now, you probably don't think you see SIRS or septic cases, but you do. SIRS is a result of overstimulation of the inflammatory cascade (with secondary release of inflammatory mediators). SIRS can be seen due to thermal injury (e.g., heat stroke, burns), immune-mediated disease, etc. and can be seen with neoplasia, pancreatitis, trauma, infectious disease, etc. The definition of SIRS is very loose, unfortunately and includes two of the following criteria: