Articles

The authors of this paper reviewed new findings about involuntary movements (IM) in dogs and attempted to create a common classification and terminology. They believed that this would not only aid in diagnosis but also help to create a framework for further studies on this subject. IM are divided into tremors and peripheral nerve hyper-excitability […]

Brachycephaly is considered the most important breed-defining trait for Persian cats and breeders have been applying selective pressure to accentuate this morphological feature. An apparent association has been found in Persians between brachycephalic skull conformations and enlarged ventricular volumes.  This association is also seen in other species.  With this in mind, the authors set out […]

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is the most common infectious disease affecting the central nervous system in cats and is usually fatal. An accurate diagnosis is important to help clinicians to manage owner expectations and avoid unsuccessful treatment. FIP is caused by a virus, FIPV, a mutant of the widespread feline enteric coronavirus (FECV).  These viruses […]

Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) is an obligate intracellular microsporidium with a wide range of mammal hosts, including rodents and carnivores. It can infect humans and is a particular risk to people with compromised immunity. Rabbits shed spores in their urine and they replicate preferentially in the brain and kidney. Encephalitozoonosis in rabbits is persistent, with […]

In this study, 117 cases of shelter cats that were infected with Feline Panleukopenia virus (FPV) were analysed. The severity of FPV is related to the intensity of clinical signs and how abnormal the blood count is, particularly regarding leukopenia. Experts classify FPV ranging from subclinical to peracute, the latter usually having a deadly outcome. […]

Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome (FHS) was first described over 35 years ago and, unfortunately, it remains a disease with an unknown etiology that is difficult to diagnose. Clinical signs may vary but presentations include excessive vocalization, skin rippling over the dorsal lumbar area, episodes of excitability, overgrooming, and self-trauma. In the most severe forms, animals might […]

Buprenorphine is an important analgesic due to its possibility of being administered orally and its reduced side effects when compared to other opioids. Gingivostomatitis in cats is a frequent multifactorial condition that causes severe pain and discomfort so it requires sturdy symptomatic treatments.  Because it can be absorbed orally, and because it has fewer side-effects […]

The evaluation of renal concentrating ability is an important function in veterinary medicine. The gold standard for the assessment of urine concentration is the measurement of urine osmolality, but this requires expensive equipment that’s not readily available in clinical practice. The measurement of urine specific gravity (USG) is commonly used since it closely correlates with […]

While surgical intervention is recommended in many cases of canine hip dysplasia, particularly in young patients and in those with debilitating osteoarthritis (OA), there are times when multi-modal conservative management is preferable. Several physical rehabilitation protocols can be implemented in the conservative management of canine hip dysplasia. Manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and other modalities, such […]

Laser therapy (LT), also known as cold laser therapy or low-level laser therapy, is an increasingly popular modality and a useful complement to physical therapy protocols. The energy of the laser light interacts with cells and tissues and this leads to biochemical changes, known as photobiomodulation.  While the exact interaction mechanisms are still being studied, […]

The authors of this study set out to measure the effects of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acid and of physical rehabilitation on the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs which suffered from cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL). 48 dogs with unilateral CCL disease were selected for the study.  They were submitted to tibial […]

While cats may not seem the most likely candidates for therapeutic exercise (TE), it is possible to create treatment plans that can benefit most patients. TE aims to increase the range of motion in joints, improve muscle strength and limb use, as well as improving proprioception and mobility. TE consists of three sorts of exercise: […]

Electrical stimulation is an attractive option for veterinary physical therapy as it’s a cost-effective way to support recovery following injury or surgery.  It can be used to: not only to control pain improve the range of motion in damaged joints, reduce oedema and wound healing time increase muscle strength. One of the most common modalities […]

Cairn Terriers can suffer from a hereditary form of bilateral ocular melanosis (OM). It causes the accumulation of large and darkly pigmented melanocytes in the anterior uvea which may damage ocular structures. The progression of this pathology is slow but the cells can migrate to other structures and cause thickening of the iris root, form […]

Corneal ulcers are commonly found in cats suffering with feline herpesvirus infection with medical therapy is often indicated.  Because of the delicate anatomy of the cornea and the complexity of the surgery, the decision between medical and surgical treatment needs to be evaluated carefully. A recent review suggests that surgery should be considered in 4 […]

Evidence suggests that some anesthetic drugs increase intraocular pressure (IOP) which could lead to complications, including the loss of globe contents through surgical or traumatic wounds and/or blindness. A study set out to establish the IOP cut-off values that could be used to diagnose glaucoma, as well as to observe the effects of propofol anesthesia […]