Vet Times

Tag: canine

  • Diagnosis of Lyme disease

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    Diagnosis of Lyme’s disease is challenging and normally depends on evidence of exposure along with clinical signs and diagnostic tests. Tests for Borrelia burgdorferi can be divided into those that demonstrate presence of the organism, and antibody tests. Detection of the organism by culture, cytology, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay can be difficult as…

  • Glasgow Vet School Rodeo

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    The Glasgow Vet School Rodeo is an annual charity event organised by vet students. It is traditional for second year students to make the event happen, and so this year, I was involved in its organisation. My responsibilities included taking minutes at weekly meetings, correspondence with print media for advertising, compiling the programme and poster/flyer…

  • Topical treatment of Pseudomonas otitis externa in dogs

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    As a general guideline, 5-10 drops (depending on the dog’s size) of topical antimicrobial agent should be applied to the ear twice daily, but in cases with ruptured tympanic membranes, all topically applied antibiotics are potentially ototoxic. When the tympanic membrane is not intact or its patency is unknown, pet owners must be warned of…

  • Ammonia tolerance test for diagnosis of portosystemic shunts

    Ammonia tolerance test for diagnosis of portosystemic shunts

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    Normal hepatic function is essential for conversion of ammonia to urea. Increasing resting ammonia concentration indicates decreased hepatic mass or shunting of portal blood. Concentrations of blood ammonia are not well correlated with severity of hepatic encephalopathy, and ammonia levels may be normal in 7% to 21% of dogs with portosystemic shunts (PSS), especially after…

  • It takes balls to neuter

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    As graduates, one of the most routine surgeries that we will be expected to be competent at is neutering. As students, when on work experience or EMS, we will have seen at least one of these procedures a day at small or mixed practices… often more. But routine does not necessarily mean easy, simple or…

  • Media in the veterinary world

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    In January, I attended my first AVS (the Association of Veterinary Students) congress. It was a fantastic event, featuring inspiring talks and lectures, fascinating practicals and the infamous AVS ball. I would strongly urge any vet student to attend congress at least once during their time at vet school – aside from all the events…

  • When to extract retained deciduous teeth

    When to extract retained deciduous teeth

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    A common abnormality in canine dentition is retention of deciduous teeth. This occurs when the permanent tooth bud does not grow immediately beneath the deciduous tooth, and therefore does not cause the roots of the deciduous tooth to be resorbed. A retained tooth can cause the permanent tooth to erupt in an abnormal position or…

  • PETS with rabies, in the UK?

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    Lectures on legislation regarding veterinary-related issues are never the most interesting, often involving endless lists of dates and figures, but the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) lecture this week had a slight edge to it. Among other important factors, such as microchipping and documentation, the focus was quite obviously on the recent changes to the rules…

  • Planning the RVN/SVN year

    Planning the RVN/SVN year

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    We can start our good intentions now! Let’s make 2014 the year of pre-planning and proactive rather than reactive decisions… promise? To help, here’s a few dates we already know: RCVS diploma exams – written and OSCE [link]. City & Guilds (C&G) and Central Qualifications (CQ) exams are held “in-house”, so you should contact your…

  • Harvest mites and Seasonal Canine Illness

    Harvest mites and Seasonal Canine Illness

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    Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) is associated with dogs that have been walked in wooded areas or parkland during the autumn months. SCI was first reported in 2010 and is thought to be caused by harvest mites. Cases are characterised by lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain and rapid unconsciousness. More than 300 cases have been reported to…