Vetgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

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 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 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:

Do you treat patients with septic peritonitis in your clinic? If you do, do you agonize over them for the first few days after surgery, worried that they will require a second surgery due to recurrence (Is this dog going to perf!)? Have you thought about what factors might put these patients at risk for recurrence?

What's your favorite way of giving furosemide to the critically ill, fragile, dyspneic congestive heart failure patient? Is it worth putting in an IV catheter just to give furosemide IV? (No). Does it matter what route you give it?

How do you like to treat blocked cats in your practice? Do you have an opinion about the use of decompressive cystocentesis (DC)? If you aren't familiar with it, this procedure involves performing cystocentesis in cats with urethral obstruction (UO) prior to placement of a urinary catheter. Some argue that it makes patients comfortable more quickly by relieving bladder distention, and also makes it easier to pass a urinary catheter due to reduced back pressure. Others feel strongly that decompressive cystocentesis increases the risk of bladder rupture and uroabdomen.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Soren Boysen, DACVECC from the University of Calgary and Dr. Jantina McMurray on their recent publication on the use of AFAST and TFAST ultrasound in non-trauma patients presenting to the emergency services. In this prospective study, the looked at 100 dogs and cats and found that 33% had free fluid identified on presentation. In unstable or dyspneic patients, 75% had evidence of effusion. So, if you have an ultrasound machine, are you using it enough in your clinic and patients?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in dogs and cats. VSDs are defined as an opening or communication in the interventricular septum due to defects in closure or alignment of the septum during fetal development. VSDs are a regularly identified form of congenital heart disease in animals, albeit less common than the incidence of VSDs in humans. VSDs are subclassified based on anatomic location and include the following varieties:

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Erica Reineke, DACVECC, an Assistant Clinical Professor in Emergency Critical Care at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine on a recent paper that she published. In this JVECC publication, she evaluates systolic blood pressure measurement based on physical examination as compared to Doppler analysis. In this prospective, observational study, the authors evaluated 102 cats that presented to the emergency services and evaluated the femoral and dorsal pedal pulse to predict systolic blood pressure in cats. House officers (e.g., interns, residents) evaluated pulse quality and defined it as either: strong, moderate, poor, or absent. A concurrent SBP was also performed. What'd they find?

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education Real-Life Rounds podcast, we review the use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) in veterinary medicine. Should we veterinarians be using it with every poisoning or toxicology case? Listen to find out more!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Raegan Wells, DACVECC, Director of Medical Management at Blue Pearl in Phoenix, Arizona. In this veterinary podcast, she reviews a recent case report published in JVECC on the use of intravenous lipid emulsion for a synthetic marijuana toxicity case she saw in a dog. Learn how to treat THC (i.e., the real and synthetic case poisonings!), what signs to look for, and whether or not the use of intravenous lipid emulsion would benefit your patient. When in doubt, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for life-saving advice!

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review a common presenting complaint to emergency veterinarians: hemoabdomen. Most of us know that the majority of spontaneous hemoperitoneums are due to bleeding splenic masses (malignant or not), and if you're dealing with a hemangiosarcoma, the long term prognosis isn't great. But have you thought about what factors might be associated with a worse perioperative outcome (for example, from the time of admission for the bleed through surgery to discharge) in this critically ill, emergent population?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review TRALI (again, as it's super important!). Have you ever heard of TRALI? The acronym stands for transfusion-related acute lung injury, and is a type of

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review cocaine toxicosis in dogs. Have you ever seen a patient with cocaine toxicosis in your practice? Do you know how to recognize one? What do you tell owners about prognosis with treatment?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review the use of heparin versus saline flushes. Which is better?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review whether mixing dog food with activated charcoal works. After all, it's usually easier to get a dog to eat the charcoal if you mix it with some palatable food with poisoning cases, right? Well, have you ever wondered about the effect of that food on the adsorptive capacity of the charcoal? Will it decrease its efficacy in terms of helping to eliminate that toxin from your patient's system?

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review the association between previous splenectomy and gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV) in dogs. Picture this scenario: it's late into your overnight emergency shift, and you're cutting a hemoabdomen in a middle age, large breed dog. You found a bleeding splenic mass and removed it, and now you're trying to decide if you should do a prophylactic gastropexy. Sounds familiar, right? Well, there are actually some theories out there that suggest splenectomy might increase a patient's risk for GDV, so considering that pexy might be smart. Possible reasons for this increased risk include the void created by removal of the spleen (especially if it was enlarged) leading to increased gastric mobility, or stretching of the ligaments in the cranial abdomen due to a splenic mass, torsion, or previous episodes of gastric dilatation (without volvulus). But, regardless of these theories, previous studies have been mixed, so how are you going to decide if you should pexy thi