VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In this VetGirl blog, we review the basics about leptospirosis, a thin, motile spirochete with a hook-shaped end that results in zoonotic disease in veterinary medicine. With canine leptospirosis, infection with certain serovars are thought to be associated with certain types and severities of clinical disease, although this is not definitive (Goldstein et al). L. pomona appears to result in more severe renal disease and worse outcome (50% as compared to 78-81%) as compared to other serogroups (Goldstein et al).

Pronunciation help from Dr. Ashleigh Newman!

In this VetGirl podcast, we interview Dr. Greg Lisciandro, DABVP, DACVECC about ultrasound techniques in small animal medicine.

When it comes to treating skin disease, we know that Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common cause of canine pyoderma. Previous dermatology studies have found that dogs with superficial or deep bacterial pyoderma respond well to clindamycin administration, with success rates of approximately 71-100%. As a result, dermatologists often recommend using clindamycin hydrochloride as an antibiotic for systemic therapy to treat canine pyoderma, with a dosage ranging is 5.5-11 mg/kg once a day to twice a day. In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss whether or not you can use clindamycin at 11mg/kg once-aday versus 5.5 mg/kg twice-a-day when it comes to dosing in dogs.

In today's VetGirl podcast, we interview Dr. Hilary Hu, PhD candidate at Iowa State University. Dr. Hu and Dr. Nick Jeffery are conducting a clinical study on the experimental use of chondroitinase, which may improve outcome in dogs after spinal cord injury.

In this final Lyme VetGirl podcast, we review 3 clinical cases. Decide if you want to treat or not, and see if you learned all you need to know about both acute and Lyme disease and chronic Lyme nephritis.

Did your patient just ingest a toxic amount of acetaminophen (commonly called paracetamol in other countries)? Acetaminophen toxicosis is commonly seen in dogs and cats, and can result in liver failure, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), oxidative injury, methemoglobinemia, and Heinz body anemia. In dogs, the toxic dose is > 100 mg/kg, while in ferrets and cats, the toxic dose is as little as 10 mg/kg. This VetGirl podcast reviews all you need to know about acetaminophen toxicity. Thankfully, this toxicity has an antidote, n-acetylcysteine (NAC).

In this VetGirl podcast, we review initial treatment of chronic Lyme nephritis, focusing specifically on antihypertensive therapy, ACEi therapy, nutritional support, and possible immunosuppressive therapy. For chronic Lyme disease, appropriate monitoring for proteinuria or microalbuminuria should be performed q. 3-6 months. In patients that have continued proteinuria (after 4-6 weeks of antibiotic therapy), a renal biopsy should be considered (to rule out an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis), along with a low-protein diet, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy, and an additional course of antibiotic therapy. If evidence of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis is seen, the use of immunosuppressive therapy is warranted (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, etc.).

In this VetGirl podcast, we review initial treatment of chronic Lyme nephritis, focusing specifically on fluid therapy and gastrointestinal support. For chronic Lyme disease, appropriate monitoring for proteinuria or microalbuminuria should be performed q. 3-6 months. In patients that have continued proteinuria (after 4-6 weeks of antibiotic therapy), a renal biopsy should be considered (to rule out an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis), along with a low-protein diet, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy, and an additional course of antibiotic therapy. If evidence of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis is seen, the use of immunosuppressive therapy is warranted (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, etc.).

Phacoemulsification, or small incision cataract surgery, is the preferred technique for removal of cataracts in dogs. Previous studies evaluating visual outcomes following phacoemulsification in dogs report success rates varying from 71.4 – 95.3%. However, there are some potential complications of phacoemulsification, including post-operative ocular hypertension (POH), uveitis, retinal detachment, and secondary glaucoma. In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss the success rate for restoring vision after cataract surgery with foldable intraocular lens implantation…and what you need to know about when it comes to the Boston terrier breed!

In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss clinical signs seen with Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). In canine patients suspected of having Lyme disease based on a positive 3DX or 4DX SNAP test, the decision to treat should be based on the presence of clinical signs, breeds at risk for developing life-threatening chronic effects (e.g., breeds predisposed to Lyme nephritis), and presence of proteinuria or microalbuminuria.

When it comes to skunks, we all know that they can cause an odiferous problem to dogs (and less commonly, cats). Most of us have the “skunk bathing formula” ready to recite to owners on the phone. However, when skunk exposures happen, do we warn pet owners about the other potential health risks that can occur? This VetGirl podcast reviews skunk musk toxicity, and how it can result in oxidative injury, Heinz body hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia.

In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss clinical signs seen with Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). In dogs, three states of Lyme disease can be seen. With acute Lyme disease, dogs typically develop transient fever, lethargy, depression, hesitance to move, anorexia, pain, lymphadenopathy, and acute arthritis (seen as a mono- or polyarthropathy). Joints may be inflamed and warm to the touch. Sub-acute signs may also be seen, where lameness can last several weeks. While clinical arthritis may be transient, inflammatory changes to the synovial fluid may be ongoing and potentially persistent. Typically, lameness in dogs occurs months after tick exposure. Chronic signs include cardiac changes (e.g., bradyarrhythmias such as heart block, etc.), neurologic signs, arthritis and changes related to Lyme nephritis (estimated to occur in 1-2% of dogs affected by Lyme disease).

What the heck is BNP? BNP stands for B-type natriuretic peptide, and is released from left atrial stretch (commonly seen with cardiac disease and congestive heart failure). How important is it, and can it help my patient? In this VetGirl veterinary CE podcast, Dr. Marc Kraus, a board-certified cardiologist on faculty at Cornell University, tells us all we need to know about this soon-to-be bedside test.

In this VetGirl podcast, we discuss transmission, pathophysiology and testing for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). While Bb can be transmitted by urine, milk, and blood, the most common transmission is likely via tick infestation by hard-shell deer ticks (e.g., Ixodes scapularis or other related Ixodes species). Ixodes ticks have a 2-year life cycle and hatch in the spring (into larvae). A female tick lays approximately 2000 eggs. Larvae become infected with Bb when feeding on white-footed mice, which are persistently infected, but often remain unaffected or asymptomatic. The larvae molt into nymphs that feed on new hosts. While nymphs are less effective vectors than adult ticks, they can still infect their hosts within the four-day feeding period. Likewise, nymphs can become infected when feeding on an infected animal. In the fall, nymphs molt to adults, with 50% of adult ticks in the Northeast estimated to be carrying Bb. Once the tick attaches and feeds, the spirochetes (which live in the midgut of the tick) begin to migrate to the salivary gland and enter the host. Risk of infection is believed to be minimal during the first 12 hours of feeding. Typically, transmission of Bb occurs during prolonged feeding periods (typically > 48 hours).

Bromethalin is a mouse and rat poison that may sound like brodifacoum or bromadiolone, but it has nothing to do with Vitamin K1 or coagulopathy. Bromethalin results in cerebral edema and has a narrow margin of safety. Check out this VetGirl veterinary podcast to learn more about this rodenticide that is becoming more prevalent due to new EPA mandates!

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the #1 cutaneous dermal mass of dogs. As MCT exfoliate well, aspirates are often diagnostic. However, before looking at it in-house, keep in mind that Diff-Quik does not stain the granules of MCT well. This VetGirl veterinary CE podcast reviews whether staining for a longer period of time in Diff-Quik helps, or whether or not you should just submit for Wright's stain analysis!

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Just aspirated fluid from your patient? Not exactly sure what to look for or run on the fluid? In this VetGirl veterinary podcast, Dr. Ashleigh Newman (clinical pathology resident guru at Cornell) gives us some clin path tips on what to do what that effusion.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Have a patient that you suspect was poisoned by an anticoagulant rodenticide (ACR; also called long-acting anticoagulant or "LAAC")? When in doubt, consider the usefulness of anticoagulant rodenticide screening, as it is readily available at veterinary diagnostic laboratories. That said, it may take days to weeks before results are available. Find out in this VetGirl podcast what the best clinical tool for diagnosing ACR in the ER.

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, a board-certified veterinary emergency critical care specialist, discusses 5 misconceptions that many veterinary professionals have about trauma cases. Before you treat your next HBC (hit-by-car), make sure to check out this VetGirl veterinary podcast for some key simple trauma tips! Dr. Holowaychuk discusses key things like, giving shock boluses of fluids, treating with steroids, or euthanizing those trauma patients.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Did your in-house hematology analyzer just go down? Have to do a blood smear? In this VetGirl veterinary CE podcast, Dr. Ashleigh Newman (our clinical pathology guru, who is a resident at Cornell) gives us some tips on interpreting your blood smear accurately and appropriately. As in vitro, artifactual changes can occur in hematology samples, make sure to perform a fresh blood smear (at the time of blood collection) to submit with your hematology sample and to look at it in-house!

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

In this VetGirl podcast, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk reviews the use of intramuscular (IM) glargine insulin in cats for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). While we were always taught that you should only ever use regular insulin IM, this study may prove otherwise! So before you refer all your DKA cases away, pay heed to this VetGirl podcast!

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in our veterinary patients, and can sometimes be tricky to diagnose and treat appropriately. An aerobic urine culture is the gold standard, allowing identification of the infectious agent and a sensitivity profile to direct treatment; however, this test takes several days to get back, and treatment (in other words, appropriate use of antibiotics!) is often required in the meantime. This veterinary podcast reviews the importance of Gram staining urine versus evaluating an unstained urine sediment exam for the detection of bacteriuria in dogs with suspected UTI. Stain your urine!

The use of colloids is more commonly utilized in veterinary medicine as a means of increasing colloid osmotic pressure (COP). Rarely, there are complications associated with the use of colloids, including volume overload and effects on coagulation (hypocoagulability). This veterinary podcast reviews the effects of the synthetic colloid hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) on coagulation and reiterates how clinical patients receiving synthetic colloids should be monitored for changes in their coagulation profiles and treated accordingly.

In this VetGirl podcast, Heidi Brenegan, Director of Marketing at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota discusses different payment plan options available for pet owners and for your clinic. Need more than just Care Credit out there? Learn about a new payment system called PaymentBanc that allows draft payments from your pet owner's banking account without it affecting (or costing) your clinic anything!

Feline cardiac disease and secondary congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common presenting complaint to the ER or ICU. Treatment often includes diuretics (e.g., furosemide), oxygen therapy, calcium channel blockers, and other cardiac medications. Recently, the use of pimobendan has been evaluated to treat cats with heart failure. Should we wait to get our echocardiogram results before starting pimobendan? Is HCM a contraindication for giving pimobendan? This veterinary podcast reviews whether the use of oral pimobedan is beneficial, and what contraindications exist.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency seen in large and giant breed dogs. Immediate stabilization includes IV access, aggressive fluid resuscitation, and gastric decompression. The question is, what's the best way to decompress the stomach? This veterinary podcast weighs the pros and cons of trocharization versus orogastric tube placement. After all, trocharization is way easier... but does it work?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an important technique to master in veterinary medicine. After all, none of us like having our patients undergo cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA). While the prognosis for survival from CPA is guarded even with CPR, it's important to be aware of the new updates in CPR (e.g., AHA guidelines, RECOVER) as it has some potential applications to veterinary species and might contribute to improved outcomes. Check out our 7 podcasts on RECOVER for additional information on CPR also.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Have a patient that just ate some baby diaper rash cream? (VetGirl's personal fav? Boudreaux's Baby Butt Paste). How worried should you be? This VetGirl podcast reviews zinc oxide toxicosis, and whether it's going to result in heavy metal toxicosis or not.

Have an aggressive dog that you can't get near? Need to sedate it but don't know what's the most effective sedative? Have a C-section and not sure what to anesthetize the dog with? Today's VETgirl podcast interviews Dr. Jane Quandt, DVM, DACVA, DACVECC for some fantastic anesthesia and pre-medication hints for dogs!

Years ago, while running a stat cytology back from the surgery suite to the clinical pathologist, the nice clinical pathology resident asked me "Did you blot this before you made an impression smear onto the slide?" (He did this after looking at my blood-stained, non-diagnostic stat cytology). Doh. No. Here, in this VetGirl veterinary podcast, Dr. Ashleigh Newman (clinical pathology resident guru at Cornell) gives us some great tips on what common mistakes to avoid when preparing cytology. You know, like simple hints of blogging your organ before making an impression smear...

Have a fractious cat that you need to sedate? Want to consider using an epidural for a feline urethral obstruction (FUO)? Dr. Jane Quandt, DVM, DACVA, DACVECC, discusses some great anesthesia and pre-medication tips for cats. Today's VETgirl podcast interviews Dr. Quandt for some fast, efficient, helpful tips that every veterinary practitioner must review!

The use of arterial (ABG) or venous blood gases (VBG) plays an important role in both the ER and ICU. One particular parameter of the blood gas - the base excess (BE) - has been shown to be indicators of shock, intra-abdominal injury, fluid requirements, efficacy of resuscitation, and to be predictive of mortality after injury in human trauma patients. In human trauma patients, base excess (BE) also been used to predict which patients require blood transfusions within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Does this apply in veterinary medicine? Check out this podcast to find out if the BE is your new BFF (Best Friend Forever!)!

DKA, otherwise known as diabetic ketoacidosis (AKA "Diabetes Kills Animals"), is an endocrine emergency that can be costly - but fun and exciting - to treat. This veterinary podcast reviews how to diagnose DKA for $5 or less and overall emergency management of DKA (including fluid therapy, correction of electrolyte abnormalities, insulin therapy, and treatment for the severe metabolic acidosis).

Just diagnosis a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) incidentally on chest radiographs? Not sure if it need to be cut? PPDH is a developmental malformation that allows abdominal contents to slide through a hernia in the diaphragm directly into the pericardial sac. Clinical signs of PPDH, if there are any in your patient, can be attributed to compression of the heart by contents in the pericardial sac or adverse effects on the organs that are herniating. Check out this veterinary podcast to find out if medical versus surgical management is warranted!

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide analgesia by altering the body’s inflammatory response. However, when ingested in toxic amounts, severe clinical signs can be seen. The question remains, what NSAIDS are safe for dogs? What NSAIDS are safe for cats? What side effects should we monitor for in these patients? More importantly, how do we treat NSAID toxicosis? VetGirl answers all things NSAIDs in this veterinary podcast.