Journal of feline medicine and surgery
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Aug 2021
MRI of the optic nerve sheath and globe in cats with and without presumed intracranial hypertension.
The study aimed to: (1) test MRI repeatability of measurements of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), optic nerve diameter (OND) and eye globe transverse diameter (ETD); (2) investigate the associations between the OND, ONSD and ETD; (3) assess whether these measurements are affected by age or body weight; and (4) test the association between ONSD, OND, ETD and ONSD:ETD ratio with presumed intracranial pressure (ICP) status. ⋯ The measurement of the ONSD and the ONSD:ETD ratio on T2-weighted MRI might not be reliable as non-invasive tests for diagnosing intracranial hypertension in cats.
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Apr 2021
Evaluation and comparison of serum procalcitonin and heparin-binding protein levels as biomarkers of bacterial infection in cats.
As bacterial infection can lead to sepsis and high mortality, early and easy diagnosis of sepsis can improve survival. In cats, the diagnosis of systemic bacterial infection is quite challenging, and, usually, non-specific markers for inflammation are employed. In humans, procalcitonin, heparin-binding protein and absolute neutrophil count are biomarkers that are studied in bacterial infections and sepsis owing to their high sensitivity and specificity. ⋯ High procalcitonin levels in cats were associated with bacterial infection. Hence, procalcitonin could be a valuable marker for diagnosing bacterial infections in cats.
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Mar 2021
Quantitative assessment of infusion pump-mediated haemolysis in feline packed red blood cell transfusions.
Haemolysis caused by the use of peristaltic infusion pumps (PIPs) has been described in human and canine packed red blood cells (pRBCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different linear PIPs on the haemolysis of feline pRBC units stored for a long time. ⋯ The results of this study demonstrate that the use of two common PIPs in veterinary hospitals does not produce levels of haemolysis that are significantly different than that caused by gravity alone during transfusion of feline pRBCs at a rate of 25 ml/h.
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Jul 2020
Comparative StudyComparison of four inflation techniques on endotracheal tube cuff pressure using a feline airway simulator.
The aim of this study was to compare four inflation techniques on endotracheal tube cuff (ETC) pressure using a feline airway simulator. ⋯ Use of D for cuff inflation achieved optimal cuff pressures. There may be high operator-dependent variability in the cuff pressures achieved with the use of P, MOV or LOR inflation techniques. As such, a cuff manometer is recommended when using any of these techniques.
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Alpha(α)2-agonist administration has been documented to increase blood glucose concentrations in many species. The aim of this study was to further describe the effect of dexmedetomidine on glucose and its regulatory hormones in healthy cats. ⋯ Feline practitioners should be aware of the endocrine effects associated with the use of α2-agonists, particularly when interpreting blood glucose concentrations. The transient effects of dexmedetomidine on glucose homeostasis are unlikely to significantly affect clinical practice.