What was popular in JSAP this year? – 2023 Round Up
4 December 2023
As the end of the year approaches, we’re looking back at the 12 most downloaded papers published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) this year.
Don’t forget that BSAVA members can access JSAP for free, as part of their membership benefits. To access JSAP, log in to your BSAVA library account here and then scroll to ‘read latest issues’.
Nightly nitrofurantoin appears well tolerated and might be an effective option for prophylactic control of recurrent UTIs in dogs, with more than half of the dogs in this study being free of bacteriuria and clinical signs while undergoing therapy. There is still uncertainty over the optimal duration of therapy, whether risk of rUTIs post-treatment is reduced, and whether this type of prophylaxis is better for the dog’s health than the recommended repeat short duration standard antimicrobial treatment.
Conservative management is a treatment option for straight metallic sharp-pointed gastrointestinal foreign bodies in clinically stable dogs and cats in the absence of gastrointestinal perforation. Conservative treatment – consisting of leaving the foreign body in situ with in-hospital monitoring – was successful in the majority of cases in this study, with no complications reported.
- Epidemiology and risk factors for mammary tumours in female cats. Pickard Price et al.
Increased risk of mammary tumours in female cats is associated with older age and purebred status, this study of cats seen in primary care veterinary practice has found. The study found an annual incidence risk of mammary tumours of 104 per 100,000 cats, with a median age at diagnosis of 12 years and no association with neuter status.
This is a case report of a feline pheochromocytoma (PCC) confirmed by standard histopathology and immunohistochemistry for medullary markers chromogranin A and synaptophysin. It highlights that while PCC is rare in cats, it should be included among the differential diagnoses that are considered for adrenal masses in feline patients, particularly as presenting signs are often non-specific.
Opportunities to educate owners on which clinical signs represent healthy or pathological ageing in dogs are being missed, according to this study which explored dog owner and veterinary professional experiences and attitudes towards ageing in dogs. Resources should be developed to guide on best-practice discussions in consultations, encourage more owners to recognise clinical signs and to seek and trust veterinary advice.
Subcutaneous (SQ) administration of dexmedetomidine at the Governing Vessel 20 (GV20) acupuncture point provides greater and faster sedation compared to the same dose administered intramuscularly in healthy canine patients, this study found. SQ administration of dexmedetomidine and atipamezole at GV20 was efficient to perform orthopaedic radiographs, achieved a clinically similar level of sedation to the intravenous route, and greater and faster sedation and similar recovery to intramuscular administration.
- Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in dogs undergoing MRI for a thoracolumbar vertebral column pathology. Paran et al.
Gastroesophageal reflux is a common finding in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging, affecting half of the dogs in this study. Reflux was not correlated with patient breed, age, sex, neuter status, weight, or anaesthetic protocols. A larger volume of reflux was associated with a higher chance of regurgitation. Early detection and quantification of the volume of reflux may allow the anaesthetist to take measures to reduce patient risk.
- Prevalence and risk factors for common respiratory pathogens within a cohort of pet cats in the UK. Chan et al.
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is the most common upper respiratory tract pathogen in pet cats in the UK, according to this study of 430 cats enrolled in the Bristol Cats Study. Purebred status, current or historical clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease, being entire at 12 months and living in a multi-cat household are all risk factors for FCV. Most cats with feline herpesvirus (FHV) or Chlamydia felis were also positive for FCV, therefore veterinarians should assess for FCV in any cats suspected of having C. felis or FHV infection based on clinical signs.
- Quality of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid oral formulations for intended veterinary use in the UK, Malaysia, Serbia and Thailand. Pelligand et al.
In this first study to evaluate the quality of amoxicillin/clavulanate small animal use globally, there was evidence of substandard formulations, especially for clavulanic acid, but also for amoxicillin in all countries included (the UK, Malaysia, Serbia and Thailand). This could compromise equitable access to acceptable quality essential veterinary medicines worldwide. Additionally, antimicrobial formulations of substandard quality could have decreased efficacy in patients and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
- Assessment of cannabidiol use in pets according to a national survey in the USA. Corsato Alvarenga et al.
Most pet owners were interested in using cannabidiol (CBD) products for their pets, but could benefit from clear guidelines about its efficacy, dosage, and administration frequency, according to this survey of CBD use in companion animals in the USA. CBD was mostly perceived as safe and effective and most survey participants noticed an improvement in their pet’s condition, with little to no side effects. However, further research is needed on long-term tolerability and no conclusions regarding the actual efficacy of CBD can be drawn from the study.
- Accuracy and reliability of tele‐ultrasonography in detecting gastrointestinal obstruction in dogs and cats. Silvestre Sombrio et al.
Tele-ultrasonography is a feasible method in dogs and cats with a clinical suspicion of gastrointestinal obstruction but should be used with caution, this study found. Whilst the overall accuracy of tele-ultrasound for detection of gastrointestinal obstruction was good, the positive predictive value and interobserver agreement were rather low, therefore, this technique should be used with caution in a clinical context.
Almost half of the Shar Pei included in this study were reported to have episodes of fever attributed to Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease (SPAID). Episodes of SPAID fever were reported twice as frequently by owners than veterinarians, suggesting the burden of this condition may be underestimated by primary care veterinarians and the existing literature. Specific risk factors for SPAID were not identified.