Dyspnoeic cat with wheezes and an expiratory ‘push’ – the classic asthmatic cat, right?! In this episode I discuss this syndrome according to the following points: What do we call this syndrome? Who gets feline asthma? Pathogenesis Clinical findings Diagnosis Thoracic radiography Treatment – Acute crisis Treatment – Sub-acute and Chronic Alternative or novel therapies? Cyclosporine   Some papers that informed this episode: Cooper ES, Syring RS, King LG. Pneumothorax in cats with a...

Red Cell Transfusions: To Pump Or Not To Pump? Although not worldwide just yet, veterinary practices are increasingly able to give red cell transfusions. But how should you do this – with or without an infusion device? In this episode I address this listener’s question: “What are your thoughts about using IVF pumps to administer blood products? The hospital I work at currently will not use fluid pumps, but instead calculates drops/second because they feel the pumps will cause cell...

Thankfully (!) pain management continues to gain increasing recognition in clinical veterinary practice. In this episode I look at some of the key points made in the following recently published guidelines focusing on those most relevant to ECC and acute short-term pain management: Epstein M, Rodan I, Griffenhagen G, et al. AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Fel Med Surg 2015. 17, 251–272. The ten points discussed in the episode are: Pain management must be central...

Dogs (and cats) having a crisis as a result of hypoadrenocorticism (Addisonian crisis) can be in a life-threatening state and this represents one of the true small animal emergencies. Stabilisation of these patients starts with appropriately aggressive intravenous fluid therapy as the first priority and treatment for clinically significant hyperkalaemia and hypoglycaemia may also be needed very early on. Intravenous glucocorticoids are typically then required to continue stabilisation. In...

Crystalloids versus colloids for resuscitation is an age old debate! In this episode I present the following paper before going on to talk about the use of colloids in hypoproteinaemia. Click Here For Your FREE Copy of a Transcript of This Episode For online presentations and notes on Hypovolaemia and Shock and Parenteral Fluid Therapy visit my online training portal. Cazzolli D, Prittie J. The crystalloid-colloid debate: Consequences of resuscitation fluid selection in veterinary...

Today's episode is split into two sections but has an evidence-based medicine theme throughout. In the first section, prompted by something I recently encountered in human medicine, I discuss clinical policies and guidelines. How can we have confidence in them? In the second section of this episode I discuss a couple of journal papers looking at the use of predictive transfusion formulae in dogs and cats. Do these formulae accurately predict the increase in PCV after a blood...

There are some well know standard principles of fluid therapy with different approaches to the treatment of hypovolaemia and dehydration. Regardless of the indication, individual patients may have additional problems or considerations that should influence our fluid therapy approach. In this episode I respond to questions sent in by listeners with respect to findings that should influence our fluid therapy approach - pulmonary contusions and heart murmurs. I then go on to discuss the role of...

Do you see dogs and cats exposed to poisons around the festive period? Sure you do! There are many potential poisons and other hazards to which dogs and cats are more likely to be exposed during the Christmas period. In this episode I discuss some of them in detail - chocolate, grapes/raisins/currants/sultanas, xylitol - and mention a variety of others to remind you of the high level bits of essential information. As mentioned in the episode, if you would like a one-page summary of the...

This episode focuses on the nutritional management of acute pancreatitis in dogs and cats answering questions such as: When should we be providing nutrition to dogs and cats with acute pancreatitis? Should we be using enteral or parenteral nutrition? Should we be using post-pyloric jejunal feeding or is oral or gastric feeding okay? The episode is largely based around the following clinical practice review article: Jensen KB, Chan DL. Nutritional management of acute pancreatitis in dogs...

Cats with urethral obstruction ("blocked cats") can present in a state of shock with moderate-to-severe hypoperfusion and should receive adequate fluid resuscitation with bolus therapy as needed using an isotonic crystalloid solution before worrying about relieving the obstruction. Blocked cats may have clinically significant hyperkalaemia and can also be severely acidaemic. With this in mind, does it matter whether we use 0.9% sodium chloride or a more balanced solution such as Hartmann's...

Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) (e.g. Intralipid 20%) has been used for some time and is being used more and more as an antidote for certain toxins in both human and veterinary medicine. How does it work? What is the evidence base for its use? What poisons should we consider using it for in dogs and cats? These are amongst some of the questions that I discuss in this episode of the podcast. Listen to this episode to find out more and feel free to share your thoughts on the main website or...

Canine acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea is a common presentation in small animal veterinary practice and often these patients present as emergencies. Aside from fluid therapy and other medical treatments, antibiotics are often prescribed. But is this appropriate in all cases? Should all dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea receive antibiotics? Listen to this episode to find out more and feel free to share your thoughts on the main website or via social media. Show notes for this episode can be...

An introduction to the Veterinary ECC Small Talk podcast, bringing the small animal veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) small talk and jibber jabber!