Week of Feb 10 Day 1 Flashcards
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Define Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS).
1. What age group is this condition seen in? Species?
2. Clinical signs
3. Diagnostics
4. Treatment
5. Prognosis
- SARDS is a condition that causes rapid and irreversible blindness due to changes within the retina usually seen in middle-aged obese female spayed dogs.
- They develop acute blindness and initially have no optic or fundoscopic lesions. In 1-2 months, they will develop retinal vascular attenuation and tapetal hyperreflectivity.
- Definitively diagnose SARDS is with a test called electroretinography (ERG). This test involves flashing a bright light in front of the eye and monitoring the electrical activity of the retina. If there is no electrical activity within the retina, the dog can be definitively diagnosed with SARDS. However, this test is rarely performed because it requires referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.
- Treatment involves immunosuppression.
- Prognosis is typically good. Dogs adjust well to being blind!
Describe the different Salter Harris Fracture types:
Type 1 - Physis
Type 2 - Metaphysis
Type 3 - Epiphysis
Type 4 - Metaphysis, Physis, Epiphysis
Type 5 - Crush
Topic: Deep pyodermas
1. Deep pyoderma is typically seen in what species ?
2. List the causes of deep pyodermas. What tissues are involved?
3. What are the clinical signs seen in patients with deep pyodermas?
4. What diagnostics should be run?
5. How is this condition treated? What medication is NOT recommended and why?
- Incidentally, the German Shepherds are predisposed to severe deep pyodermas that can be difficult to treat.
- Deep pyoderma can be secondary to allergies, skin fold anomalies, endocrine disorders, immune mediated skin diseases, bacterial and/or fungal skin infections, or migrating foreign bodies. Determining the underlying etiology will help with resolution and minimize chances of treatment failure and re-occurrence. Deep pyodermas involve tissues deeper than the epidermis, including the dermis and even subcutis.
- Clinically the patient can be pruiritic and/or licking the affected area repeatedly.
- Diagnostics should include skin scraping and impressions, culturing for bacteria and fungi, biopsy, and blood work.
- Treatments typically include antimicrobials that have demonstrated effectiveness, antifungals if needed, and frequent topical treatments with chlorhexidine shampoo and removal of the dead tissue and debris. The skin may heal on the surface before the deeper infection is resolved; making clinical cure difficult to assess. In general, deep infections can require 6-8 weeks of antibiotic treatment (and even 12 weeks for severe cases) for resolution. Ans to this q was Cephalexin for 8 weeks. German Shepherds are at a higher risk of developing dry eye from Trimethoprim-sulfa; therefore, it is not recommended for this condition due to the length of time required to treat a deep pyoderma.
- Define Canine Degenerative Myelopathy.
- Which species and of what age group is most commonly affected? 3. What does this disease cause?
- What differential diagnosis are most commonly associated with canine degenerative myelopathy?
- Canine degenerative myelopathy is a progressive, degenerative spinal cord disease that occurs most commonly in German Shepherd Dogs between 5-9 years of age. This disease causes random axonal degeneration in all spinal cord segments, but it is usually most severe in the thoracic cord. It is a diffuse myelopathy that can look like a transverse myelopathy, and is often confused with hip dysplasia.
Implants such as bone plates and screws can often be a ________ for infection. The lucencies around the bone plate and screws suggest ________ of the implants, and the draining tract is suggestive of _______. If the bone is already fully healed, the best treatment for this dog would be to ?
Implants such as bone plates and screws can often be a nidus for infection. The lucencies around the bone plate and screws suggest instability of the implants, and the draining tract is suggestive of infection. Since the bone is already fully healed, the best treatment for this dog would be to remove the bone plate and screws and start antibiotics.
Describe the three grades used when determining MCT prognosis. What is the best way to determine prognosis?
Mast Cell Tumors have a 3 grades:
Grade 1-least likely to metastasize. Well differentiated and superficial. Usually curative with surgical excision.
Grade 2- well to good differentiation. SQ involvement. Prognosis is varied and dependent upon cell surface markers, signs of metastasis, and local reoccurrence. Can be cured with surgery.
Grade 3- Poorly differentiated. Poor prognosis with likelihood of metastasis, reoccurrence. Aggressive treatment needed.
In order to determine prognosis it is ideal to fully stage the animal with local lymph node aspiration, metastasis check in the abdomen and thorax, blood work, and grade of the tumor itself. More recently, it has been discovered that the amount of mitotic figures identified per high per field correlates greatly with how aggressive the tumor will behave.
CVP is a decent measure of __________ _________ A normal CVP can range from ___-___ cmH2O. It is important to interpret the CVP in light of your patient’s clinical signs and to observe the trend in CVP measurements.
CVP is a decent measure of circulating volume. A normal CVP can range from 0-10 cmH2O. It is important to interpret the CVP in light of your patient’s clinical signs and to observe the trend in CVP measurements.
Morphine is an _______ while Thiopental, Pentobarbital, and Phenobarbital are __________. Thiopental is an _____-_____ acting barbiturate used for induction of __________. Pentobarbital is ________ acting and Phenobarbital is _____ acting, so these drugs are used for ?
Morphine is an opioid while Thiopental, Pentobarbital, and Phenobarbital are barbiturates. Thiopental is an ultra short acting barbiturate used for induction of anesthesia. Pentobarbital is intermediate acting and phenobarbital is long acting, so these drugs are used for long term sedation and seizure control.
Topic: IMHA
1. Signalment
2. Clinical Signs
3. Diagnostics
4. Treatment
5. Prognosis
- Middle aged dogs. Cocker spaniels are genetically prediposed to IMHA)
- Pale gums, unexplained weakness
- Bloodwork - IMHA typically has a normocytic normochromic regenerative anemia and the classic findings seen are autoagglutination and spherocytes. The only abnormal finding commonly seen on a chemistry panel with this disease is a mild to moderate bilirubinemia due to red blood cell hemolysis.
- The treatment for IMHA is immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone and cyclosporine). A blood transfusion may be indicated if the PCV is very low (usually less than 20%) or if the patient is showing clinical signs for their anemia. Packed red blood cells would be indicated in this case over a whole blood transfusion because it would provide a higher number of red blood cells and maximize the PCV.
- Prognosis depends on bloodwork, clinical signs
Apomorphine is an _______ ________ _______ that acts on the chemoreceptor trigger zone to induce vomiting in dogs. In can be administered ____, ____, ______ or in the _______ ____ Xylazine is a fairly effective emetic in the ____ but is not used in the ____ for this purpose. Azathioprine is an __________ drug not used to induce vomiting. Magnesium hydroxide or
Milk of Magnesia is a ________ but is not used for vomiting.
Apomorphine is an opioid dopaminergic agonist that acts on the chemoreceptor trigger zone to induce vomiting in dogs. In can be administered IM, SC, IV, or in the conjunctival sac. Xylazine is a fairly effective emetic in the cat but is not used in the dog for this purpose. Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive drug not used to induce vomiting. Magnesium hydroxide or
Milk of Magnesia is a cathartic but is not used for vomiting.
A 6 year old female spayed Labrador Retriever presents for a progressive lameness of the left thoracic limb over the past 3 months. Physical exam findings include no conscious proprioception, no withdrawal reflex, and atrophy of the muscles of the affected limb. An ultrasound of the left axilla shows a soft tissue mass lesion extending up from the axilla to the vertebral canal. What is the most likely diagnosis? What is the best tx option?
The correct answer is peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The presentation of the dog described is classic for a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. They are slow growing tumors arising from the peripheral nerve sheath cells. They are most commonly found in the brachial plexus. Limb amputation and tumor excision may be curative if the spinal canal has not been invaded.
- What are classic bloodwork findings of a patient that sustained a rattlesnake bite? What are some other possible causes of what you see on the bloodwork?
- What is the best treatment? What would not help?
- What can be a side effect of treatment?
- Even without external evidence of fang punctures, the presence of echinocytes, thrombocytopenia and prolonged PT and PTT in conjunction with the unilateral painful muzzle swelling is supportive of a rattlesnake bite. Other possible causes of echinocytes include hemangiosarcoma and liver disease which are not likely in the present scenario. Bee stings and spider bites can cause pain and unilateral or bilateral muzzle swelling depending on the location but echinocytes should not be present.
- 25% of rattlesnake bites are dry bites but the presence of echinocytes indicates toxin within the blood so antivenom should be administered immediately.
- The main side effect of antivenom is anaphylaxis but serum sickness can occur 1-2 weeks post treatment. Plasma will not correct the coagulopathy since the toxin directly affects clotting factors.
Dogs are insulin-dependent and most often require _______ daily insulin administration for control of their diabetes mellitus.
The formation of insulin ________ does not typically occur in dogs and is rare in cats. Insulin therapy is the mainstay for ________ regulation of blood glucose. High-______ diets delay glucose absorption in the intestines and can _________ insulin sensitivity. _____-calorie diets and regular exercise treat obesity and increase insulin sensitivity. High fat ____ are not recommended, as pancreatitis can be an underlying cause of diabetes. Oral hypoglycemic such as ______ are not very effective in dogs. While diabetes may have an immune component, immunosuppressants are not indicated; additionally, ________ would be contraindicated due to the insulin resistance they may cause.
Dogs are insulin-dependent and most often require twice daily insulin administration for control of their diabetes mellitus.
The formation of insulin antibodies does not typically occur in dogs and is rare in cats. Insulin therapy is the mainstay for immediate regulation of blood glucose. High-fiber diets delay glucose absorption in the intestines and can increase insulin sensitivity. Low-calorie diets and regular exercise treat obesity and increase insulin sensitivity. High fat diets are not recommended, as pancreatitis can be an underlying cause of diabetes. Oral hypoglycemic such as glipizide are not very effective in dogs. While diabetes may have an immune component, immunosuppressants are not indicated; additionally, corticosteroids would be contraindicated due to the insulin resistance they may cause.
Giardia trophozoites and cysts are typically found on a ?. Giardia cysts can be found on _______ _______ also. The organism can also be detected by ____ and _______.
Giardia trophozoites and cysts are typically found on a direct fecal smear. Giardia cysts can be found on fecal flotation also. The organism can also be detected by FA and ELISA.
The Baermann technique is a method of recovering ________ from fecal material and is most commonly used when looking for ________ parasites, most often _______.
The Baermann technique is a method of recovering larvae from fecal material and is most commonly used when looking for nematode
parasites, most often lungworm.
Describe the risk of transmitting staph psedointermedius from animal to human? What about staph aureus?
There is a low risk of transfer of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from animals to humans since this staphylococcus is host-adapted to dogs. The risk is higher for immunocompromised humans and humans with open wounds. Euthanasia is unnecessary, since this is a curable disease and the risk to humans is low. Quarantine is generally not indicated.
If these bacteria had been Staphylococcus aureus, the risk to humans would be much greater. Most dogs do not culture Staphylococcus aureus, since it is host-adapted to humans. Additionally, it is believed that most cases of Staphylococcus aureus in dogs are a result of transfer from their owners. Quarantine may be necessary for select cases of Staphylococcus aureus in dogs if their owner is immunocompromised.
Polydioxanone (PDS) is an __________ and ________ suture that is broken down by _________ and will last longer than _____, which is better when working with the bladder.
Vicryl is a __________ suture which also has a higher likelihood of ______ due to the ability of _______ to lodge in between the filaments.
Polydioxanone (PDS) is an absorbable and monofilament suture that is broken down by hydrolysis and will last longer than catgut, which is better when working with the bladder.
Vicryl is a multifilament suture which also has a higher likelihood of failing due to the ability of bacteria to lodge in between the filaments.
List the reported complications of a Perineal hernia repair. What is NOT a reported complication?
Fecal incontinence, infection, repair failure.
Femoral nerve paralysis is not a reported complication. The surgical region is not near the femoral nerve. Incontinence can occur if over 50% of the external anal sphincter is damaged. Infection is a very common complication due to the region in which the surgery is being performed. Failure of repair is also a complication due to the weak nature of the muscles being used to repair the defect.
Topic: FeLV
1. What type of virus is FeLV?
2. How is it transmitted? Pathogenesis?
3. Diagnostics?
- FeLV is a retrovirus.
- It is transmitted both horizontally and vertically in the cat. Once a cat is exposed, the virus is propagated throughout lymphoid tissue, resulting in amplification in the spleen, lymph nodes, GALT, intestinal crypt epithelia, and bone marrow. Once the bone marrow is infected, peripheral viremia occurs by release of infected neutrophils and platelets. Finally, excretion of the virus in saliva and urine does not occur until 28-56 days after infection, once there is widespread infection of epithelial and glandular tissue.
- ELISA, IFA
- ELISA tests for the p27 virus antigen in the serum. The IFA (Immunofluorescent Antibody) tests for p27 antigen in leukocytes and platelets.
- Because some cats can neutralize the virus before progression/amplification in the body, a positive ELISA may eventually turn negative after a few weeks (in this situation, the IFA will remain consistently negative). If there has been propagation of the virus to the bone marrow, then the IFA will be positive.
- If the cat has a positive ELISA test with a negative IFA, it is important to repeat the ELISA again in 3 months to see whether virus neutralization occurred.
Unfortunately, in some cats, an ELISA turning negative 3 months later does not prove that the pet has overcome the infection. Some cats will sequester the virus in their bone marrow resulting in only a positive IFA upon retesting.
What medication works as a rapid appetite stimulant in cats? What route of administration works best to achieve this affect? Repeat administration of this medication has been associated with what negative side effect?
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine sedative that can effectively cause appetite stimulation in cats. It is best administered intravenously to achieve this effect. Repeated oral administration of diazepam has been associated with acute fulminant hepatic necrosis. This side effect is thought to be related to metabolism of the drug in the liver to toxic metabolites. This is more severe when administered orally due to first pass metabolism.
Topic: Hydrocephalus in Cats
1. Etiology
2. Clinical signs
3. Diagnostics
4. Treatment
- The cause can be genetic, particularly in Siamese cats or due to exposure to toxins, such as griseofulvin during gestation or exposure to the feline panleukopenia virus during gestation.
- Clinical signs include depression, ataxia, dome shaped head.
- Treatment is aimed at reducing the formation of CSF. Medical treatments include prednisolone, furosemide, oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and surgical placement of a shunt from the ventricles of the brain into the peritoneal cavity. Anti-convulsant drugs may be recommended if seizures occur.
Topic: Feline Traumatic Ocular Sarcoma
1. Definition
2. Clinical Signs
3. Diagnostics
4. Treatment? What is the risk of delaying treatment?
- This is a unique tumor of cats and is a very malignant intraocular neoplasm that can occur years after the inciting trauma. Cat with a history of penetrating ocular trauma presents with blindness, corneal edema, scarring, and phthisis bulbi (shrunken, nonfunctional eye)
- Ophthalmic exam - no PLR in either eye, no menace, non-visual
- The treatment is early enucleation because if you wait for signs to develop, the tumor has frequently already metastasized.
** Remember: Eyes almost always develop phthisis prior to showing neoplasia. **
Topic: Feline Ringworm
1. Signalment?
2. Ringworm in cats is caused by what etiologic agent?
2. Clinical signs
3. Diagnostics
4. Treatment - what medication is typically not given to cats because it induces vomiting?
5. Is this disease zoonotic?
- Persians and Himalayans are at increased risk.
- Microsporum canis.
- Fungal culture is the most definitive diagnostic for dermatophytosis; Dermatophyte Testing Media (DTM) best for culture; collect using a new toothbrush rubbed on lesions; Wood’s lamp - This fungi fluoresces blue under a Wood’s lamp in 50% of cases.
- The best treatment for ringworm infection would include a combination topical and oral therapy (Although a lesion may appear to be localized to one area, ringworm may also be subclinical and there may be infection elsewhere in the skin that is not grossly visible. Therefore, the best therapy is a combination of topical and oral). Lyme sulfur dip or an antifungal shampoo containing miconazole would be acceptable. Oral antifungals such as itraconazole or fluconazole are most effective with the least side effects. Ketoconazole is not recommended in cats because it causes them to vomit.
- Over 50% of humans living with ringworm + cats will have lesions.
- What test can determine whether or not a cat is in estrus?
- What would results would you see on this test if the cat is in estrus?
- When is the test performed?
- Vaginal cytology
- You would see cornified epithelial cells if the cat is in estrus.
- The swab should be taken during the time the cat is exhibiting the behavior.