Vetgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

Just made a blood smear? Not really sure what you're looking at? In this VetGirl veterinary podcast, Dr. Ashleigh Newman (clinical pathology resident guru who evaluates blood smears all day long!) gives us a few hints on how to approach blood smear evaluation. Don't forget to focus on red blood cell morphology, platelet clumps, parasites and more!

Glucagon is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels. It has an opposite effect of insulin in the body. An injectable form of glucagon is available and can be considered in hypoglycemic patients (e.g., insulin overdose). In this veterinary podcast, VetGirl discusses the use of subcutaneous glucagon in veterinary medicine.

Diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs and cats can be challenging. In this VetGirl veterinary podcast, Dr. Anna Gelzer, DACVIM, provides some simple tips - found on physical exam - in diagnosing CHF. That way, you can figure out how to treat it sooner!

The impedance threshold device (ITD) is a device which attaches to the end of an endotracheal tube; it is used in human medicine to enhance circulation during CPR. You can find great information here about it's use in human medicine. This device works by regulating the influx of gases into the chest during the chest wall recoil phase. In this veterinary podcast, VetGirl discusses the ITD and how it affects the outcome of patients during CPR. Should we be using this in veterinary medicine?

Think you're all over that poisoning case? Just going to induce vomiting and give it some charcoal? Well, before doing that, don't forget about those contraindications for emesis induction. More importantly, make sure you're using the appropriate emetic agent to begin with. In this VetGirl podcast, find out all the pros and cons of emesis induction in this veterinary podcast. It's full of vomitus.

In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss the use of cathartics, when to use them, and potential side effects (e.g., hypernatremia) seen with their use. Decontamination is still the mainstay treatment of the poisoned veterinary patient. While activated charcoal is commonly used as an adsorbent, there are several forms of activated charcoal: those containing a cathartic (e.g., sorbitol) and those that do not contain a cathartic. Find out all you need to know about accelerating defecation with cathartics!

It is well documented that human trauma patients with low levels of ionized calcium at admission are at increased risk for death. As calcium has many important functions in the body, hypocalcemia can lead to numerous systemic abnormalities. In this veterinary podcast, VetGirl evaluates the importance of calcium in the body -; particularly in veterinary trauma patients - and evaluates how calcium levels may affect overall treatment plan and outcome in veterinary medicine.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page. Suggested reading: 1. Lee JA, Drobatz KJ, Koch MW, et al. Indications for and outcome of positive-pressure ventilation in cats: 53 cats (1993-2002). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;226(6):924-931. 2. Hopper K, Haskins SC, Kass PH, et al. Indications, management, and outcome of long-term positive-pressure ventilation in dogs and cats: 148 cases (1990-2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007;230(1):64-75. 3. Edwards TH, Coleman AE, Brainard BM, et al. Outcome of positive-pressure ventilation in dogs and cats with congestive heart failure: 16 cases (1992-2012). J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2014;24(5):586-593. 4. Campbell VL, King LG. Pulmonary function, ventilator management, and outcome of dogs with thoracic trauma and pulmonary contusions: 10 cases (1994-1998). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217(10):1505-1509.

The impedance threshold device (ITD) is a device used to enhance circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This device works by regulating the influx of gases into the chest during the chest wall recoil phase. In this podcast, VetGirl discusses the ITD and how it affects the outcome of patients with hemorrhagic shock.

In this VetGirl podcast, we review baclofen toxicity, a centrally-acting muscle relaxant used commonly in human medicine. Unfortunately, ingestion by veterinary patients can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical signs of baclofen toxicosis include severe dysphoria, agitation, profound sedation, bradycardia, hypoventilation, coma, and death. In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss common clinical signs when ingested by dogs and cats, treatment options, and prognosis.

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we review the use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE), otherwise known as intravenous fat emulsion (IFE), in veterinary medicine. ILE has been documented now in both human and veterinary medicine as an antidote for fat-soluble drug toxicities such as macrocylic lactones (e.g., ivermectin, moxidectin), local anesthetics, baclofen, cholecalciferol, etc.). In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss how ILE works, what toxins it is effective for, and how to use this exciting antidote option.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page. Suggested reading: 1. Waddell L. Blood gas analysis. Clinicians Brief 2012.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) is a common treatment for anemia. Transfusion to a normal PCV is unnecessary and may result in fluid overload due to the volume needed to return the PCV back to the normal range. The goal of pRBC transfusion is to alleviate the clinical signs associated with anemia or decreased oxygen content (CaO2). The question is: how much blood do you have to give to achieve the “desired packed cell volume (PCV)?” In this veterinary podcast, VetGirl will examine transfusion formulas to help you determine how much blood you need to give for these anemic patients.

Chylous effusions are produced when lymph escapes lymphatic vessels to enter the body cavities, commonly the pleural space. In this veterinary podcast, VetGirl evaluates the causes of chylothorax, the species we commonly see this disease in, treatment options, and the outcome with treatment.

Should no animal die without the benefit of steroids? Like a pendulum, the use of corticosteroids is constantly being debated, up one day, down another day. While corticosteroids have many theoretical benefits (e.g., including decreased inflammation, anti-tumor properties, and enhancing appetite), there are many adverse effects which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In this podcast, VetGirl discusses the use of steroids in trauma patients in veterinary medicine, including the benefits and risks associated with its administration.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

In the next installment of “Your patient ate what?” VetGirl talks about fertilizer toxicosis. While most pet owners often blame clinical signs on fertilizers, they generally have a wide margin of safety. This VetGirl podcast reviews common components of fertilizers, clinical signs expected, and treatment options.

Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) or oncotic pressure is a measure of water attracting force, which is due to important proteins such as albumin within the body. This is often affected with significant blood loss, loss of protein (either from lack of production or loss via the gastrointestinal tract, liver or kidneys), vascular permeability, or following massive fluid therapy. Rapid measurement in critically ill patients is important to help determine the best method of treatment (e.g., the use of crystalloids versus colloids). In this podcast, VetGirl evaluates the accuracy of testing COP on whole blood as compared to plasma.

This VETgirl podcast reviews the dangers of fluorouracil, also referred to as 5-FU. 5-FU is a topical chemotherapeutic agent commonly prescribed for human actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinomas. When accidentally ingested by dogs and cats, this topical cream can be life-threatening as it has a very narrow margin of safety. In this VETgirl podcast, we discuss toxicosis concerns including decontamination, clinical signs, treatment options, and prognosis. When in doubt, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for life-saving advice 24/7 as needed!