A high proportion of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, which in some cases may escalate into aggression. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to negative emotions in a veterinary setting and how these can be addressed. We briefly summarise the available evidence for the interventions discussed. The set-up of the waiting area (e.g., spatial dividers; elevated places for cat carriers), tailoring the examination and the treatment to the individual, considerate handling (minimal restraint when possible, avoiding leaning over or cornering animals) and offering high-value food or toys throughout the visit can promote security and, ideally, positive associations. Desensitisation and counterconditioning are highly recommended, both to prevent and address existing negative emotions. Short-term pain from injections can be minimised by using tactile and cognitive distractions and topical analgesics, which are also indicated for painful procedures such as ear cleanings. Recommendations for handling fearful animals to minimise aggressive responses are discussed. However, anxiolytics or sedation should be used whenever there is a risk of traumatising an animal or for safety reasons. Stress-reducing measures can decrease fear and stress in patients and consequently their owners, thus strengthening the relationship with the clients as well as increasing the professional satisfaction of veterinary staff.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/158/pdf

A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting.

The '2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines' (hereafter the 'Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines') describe how the veterinary clinic environment can be manipulated to minimise feline patient distress. Many components of a veterinary clinic visit or stay may result in negative experiences for cats. However, much can be done to improve a cat's experience by making the veterinary clinic more cat friendly. Exposure to other cats and other species can be reduced, and adjustments made with consideration of the feline senses and species-specific behaviour. Caregivers can prepare cats for a clinic visit with appropriate advice. Waiting rooms, examination rooms, hospital wards and other clinic areas can be designed and altered to reduce stress and hence encourage positive emotions. Changes need not be structural or expensive in order to be effective and make a difference to the cats and, in turn, to cat caregivers and the veterinary team. Moreover, by improving the all-round experience at the veterinary clinic, there are positive effects on preventive healthcare, identification of and recovery from illness, and compliance with treatment.Good feline healthcare necessitates visiting the veterinary clinic, which, simply by being outside of a cat's territory and familiar surroundings, may lead to negative experiences. Such experiences can trigger negative (protective) emotions and associated physiological stress, which can result in misleading clinical findings, patient distress, prolonged recovery from illness, further difficulties with handling at subsequent visits and potential veterinary personnel injury. There may be a mistaken belief that veterinary clinics must undergo significant renovation or building work to become cat friendly, and that, if species cannot be separated, then clinics cannot improve their care of cats. These Guidelines aim to dispel any such misconceptions and provide detailed practical advice.These Guidelines have been created by a Task Force of experts convened by the International Society of Feline Medicine and American Association of Feline Practitioners, based on an extensive literature review and, where evidence is lacking, the authors' experience. Endorsements: These Guidelines have been endorsed by a number of groups and organisations, as detailed on page 1161 and at icatcare.org/cat-friendly-guidelines and catvets.com/environment. 

2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines

BACKGROUND French bulldogs have previously been reported to be at an increased risk of developing humeral condylar fractures (HCF). Humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF) are thought to be a predisposing factor for HCF occurrence in skeletally mature dogs particularly when the fracture occurs during normal activity. We hypothesised that HIF may be a predisposing factor for HCF in French bulldogs. METHODS A retrospective case series of nine French bulldogs that had sustained HCF and where CT was performed prior to surgery. RESULTS Five of the fractured humeri had sclerosis adjacent to the fracture site. Six of the contralateral intact humeri were diagnosed with HIF on the basis of a partial (2/6) or complete (4/6) hypoattenuating area extending between the distal articular surface and the supratrochlear foramen in the sagittal plane, with adjacent sclerosis (6/6). CONCLUSIONS Recognition of sclerosis at the intracondylar fracture surface on CT can prompt suspicion that HIF preceded HCF. A predisposing HIF has potentially great clinical significance for this breed if we draw parallels with breeds such as the springer spaniel for whom HIF and HIF-associated condylar fracture is well documented.

Humeral intracondylar fissures in French bulldogs.

The '2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques' (hereafter the 'Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines') support veterinary professionals with feline interactions and handling to reduce the impact of fear and other protective (negative) emotions, in so doing enhancing feline welfare and In implementing these Guidelines, team satisfaction and cat caregiver confidence in the veterinary team will increase as the result of efficient examinations, better experience, more reliable diagnostic testing and improved feline wellbeing. Veterinary professionals will learn the importance of understanding and appropriately responding to the current emotional state of the cat and tailoring each visit to the individual.Cats have evolved with emotions and behaviors that are necessary for their survival as both a predator and prey species. A clinical setting and the required examinations and procedures to meet their physical health needs can result in behavioral responses to protective emotions. Cat friendly interactions require understanding, interpreting and appropriately responding to cats' emotional states and giving them a perceived sense of control while performing the required assessment.These Guidelines have been created by a Task Force of experts convened by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine, based on an extensive literature review and, where evidence is lacking, the authors' experience.These Guidelines have been endorsed by a number of groups and organizations, as detailed on page 1127 and at catvets.com/interactions and icatcare.org/cat-friendly-guidelines. 

2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques.

Practical relevance: The ‘2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines’ (hereafter the ‘Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines’) describe how the veterinary clinic environment can be manipulated to minimise feline patient distress. Many components of a veterinary clinic visit or stay may result in negative experiences for cats. However, much can be done to improve a cat’s experience by making the veterinary clinic more cat friendly. Exposure to other cats and other species can be reduced, and adjustments made with consideration of the feline senses and species-specific behaviour. Caregivers can prepare cats for a clinic visit with appropriate advice. Waiting rooms, examination rooms, hospital wards and other clinic areas can be designed and altered to reduce stress and hence encourage positive emotions. Changes need not be structural or expensive in order to be effective and make a difference to the cats and, in turn, to cat caregivers and the veterinary team. Moreover, by improving the all-round experience at the veterinary clinic, there are positive effects on preventive healthcare, identification of and recovery from illness, and compliance with treatment. Clinical challenges: Good feline healthcare necessitates visiting the veterinary clinic, which, simply by being outside of a cat’s territory and familiar surroundings, may lead to negative experiences. Such experiences can trigger negative (protective) emotions and associated physiological stress, which can result in misleading clinical findings, patient distress, prolonged recovery from illness, further difficulties with handling at subsequent visits and potential veterinary personnel injury. There may be a mistaken belief that veterinary clinics must undergo significant renovation or building work to become cat friendly, and that, if species cannot be separated, then clinics cannot improve their care of cats. These Guidelines aim to dispel any such misconceptions and provide detailed practical advice. Evidence base: These Guidelines have been created by a Task Force of experts convened by the International Society of Feline Medicine and American Association of Feline Practitioners, based on an extensive literature review and, where evidence is lacking, the authors’ experience. Endorsements: These Guidelines have been endorsed by a number of groups and organisations, as detailed on page 1161 and at icatcare.org/cat-friendly-guidelines and catvets.com/environment.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine cream (EMLA cream; Astra Pharmaceuticals) in reducing pain and reaction to venepuncture during jugular blood sa...

Evaluation of eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine cream for jugular blood sampling in cats.

Background Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been reported to be a common finding in dogs under general anesthesia. Objectives The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the esophageal and gastric contents in a population of dogs undergoing computed tomographic myelography (myelo-CT) examination and to evaluate the factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid (gastric content, duration of anesthesia, body position, and intrinsic factors). Methods Esophageal and gastric contents of 83 non-brachycephalic dogs were retrospectively assessed based on plain and myelo-CT scans. Age, weight, breed, sex, and the time between the 2 computed tomography [CT] scans were included. Results Esophageal fluid was present in 19% (16/83) of the animals, and 14% (12/83) and 46% (37/83), respectively, had fluid or food material in their stomachs. The frequency of observing esophageal fluid on myelo-CT scans was significantly increased compared with plain CT scans (p = 0.006). The presence of gastric fluid was significantly associated with an increased frequency of observing esophageal fluid compared to other gastric contents (p = 0.049; odds ratio, 3.1). The presence of esophageal fluid was not correlated with alimentary gastric contents (p = 0.17). Increased body weight and duration of anesthesia were significantly associated with an increased frequency of observing esophageal fluid (p = 0.022, p = 0.021). Conclusions Unlike alimentary gastric contents, fluid gastric contents were correlated with the presence of esophageal fluid upon myelo-CT. The observation of fluid in the esophagus may be consistent with GER. This study provides data additional to pH monitoring studies of GER and may support previous studies recommending shorter pre-anesthetic fasting periods in dogs.

/pdf/computed-tomographic-features-of-gastric-and-esophageal-2b4z8qse7r.pdf

Computed tomographic features of gastric and esophageal content in dogs undergoing CT myelography and factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid

Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle is a cause of forelimb lameness in dogs. Affected dogs are predisposed to humeral condylar fractures. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle has been reported in breeds such as Spaniel, Rottweiler, Labrador and Pug. Diagnosis is made by a radiographic or computed tomographic study of the elbow, while treatment includes the placement of a bone screw across the humeral condyle. This paper discusses the computed tomography findings of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in three Pinschers. Canine, diagnostic imaging, humeral intercondylar fissure, humeral condylar fracture Humeral condyle fractures from severe traumatic events are very common in dogs (Marcellin-Little et al. 1994; Rovesti et al. 1998). They occur less frequently following minor trauma or during normal physical activity. In these cases, the predisposing factor seems to be a bone disorder known as incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC), which affects some dog breeds, such as Spaniel, Labrador, Rottweiler and Pug (Moores and Moores 2017). According to some authors, IOHC is suspected to have a hereditary component, as it is linked to an autosomal recessive disorder (Marcellin-Little et al. 1994). Male subjects seem to be more predisposed than females, because oestrogen is believed to have a stimulating effect on epiphyseal fusion (Carrera et al. 2008). When we consider the pathogenesis of humeral condyle fracture, we must remember that condyle development is related to two separate ossification centres that appear around the 14th postnatal day. The centres of lateral and medial ossification are separated during this period by a thin cartilaginous layer and their fusion takes place around the 70th postnatal day (Hare 1961). Therefore, in skeletally mature animals the lateral and medial compartment of the humeral condyle should merge, with the cartilaginous layer undergoing complete ossification. In these subjects, fractures result from major trauma at the humeroradioulnar joint. An atraumatic fracture of the humeral condyle suggests instead an underlying abnormality along the condylar fusion zone. In dogs affected by IOHC, the cartilaginous layer that separates the lateral and medial portion of the humeral condyle does not undergo complete ossification; consequently, an area of fibrous tissue that separates the two portions of the condyle remains (Carrera et al. 2008). Diagnosis can be obtained by radiography of both elbow joints, since IOHC is often bilateral (Gnudi et al. 2005). Cranio-caudal oblique view with 15° of supination provides a clear image of the humeral condyle (Rovesti et al. 1998). Frequently, however, radiographic evaluations yield disappointing results; that is why computed tomography images, in such cases, allow an excellent evaluation of the elbow joint, thus becoming the imaging technique of choice to diagnose IOHC (Carrera et al. 2008; Farrell et al. 2011). ACTA VET. BRNO 2020, 89: 269–272; https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202089030269 Address for correspondence: Ladislav Stehlík Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Palackého tř. 1946/1, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic E-mail: lstehlik@vfu.cz http://actavet.vfu.cz/

/pdf/computed-tomographic-findings-in-three-pinschers-affected-by-51xk3akki0.pdf

Computed tomographic findings in three Pinschers affected by incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radio graphical outcome of cats following TPLO surgery for cranial cruciate ligament deficiency. Each cat underwent orthopedic assessment, pre-operative radio graphical evaluation, surgical procedure, postoperative management and clinical re-examination 1, 2, and 12 months following surgery. Age, body weights, TPAs, meniscal tears, implants and osteoarthritis progression were recorded. Postoperative OA score was compared with that obtained 1 year after surgery using a paired t-test with commercially available software. Radio graphical evaluation performed 1 year after surgery showed no significant OA progression (P-value > 0.1). Minor complications occurred in one case (#7) in which a mild to moderate seroma was observed ten days after surgery. No major complications were recorded. Although TPLO surgery in cats remains controversial, this study suggests that it was a suitable option for surgical treatment of feline cranial cruciate ligament rupture, but considering the ex vivo outcomes recently published, further in vivo evaluation is strongly recommended.

/pdf/clinical-outcomes-and-stifle-osteoarthritis-assessment-of-2ku4rdldbm.pdf

Ilaria Cerasoli

Papers

Evaluation of eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine cream for jugular blood sampling in cats.

Computed tomographic features of gastric and esophageal content in dogs undergoing CT myelography and factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid

Computed tomographic findings in three Pinschers affected by incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle

Clinical Outcomes and Stifle Osteoarthritis Assessment of Nine Cats Before and After Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy