Nadja E. Sigrist

Objective − To describe clinical respiratory parameters in cats and dogs with respiratory distress and identify associations between respiratory signs at presentation and localization of the disease with particular evaluation between the synchrony of abdominal and chest wall movements as a clinical indicators for pleural space disease.Design − Prospective observational clinical study.Setting − Emergency service in a university veterinary teaching hospital.Animals − Cats and dogs with respiratory distress presented to the emergency service between April 2008 and July 2009.Interventions − None.Measurements and Main Results − The following parameters were systematically determined at time of admission: respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, type of breathing, movement of the thoracic and abdominal wall during inspiration, presence of stridor, presence and type of dyspnea, and results of thoracic auscultation. Abdominal and chest wall movement was categorized as synchronous, asynchronous, or inverse. Diagnostic test results, diagnosis, and outcome were subsequently recorded. Based on the final diagnoses, animals were assigned to 1 or more of the following groups regarding the anatomical localization of the respiratory distress: upper airways, lower airways, lung parenchyma, pleural space, thoracic wall, nonrespiratory causes, and normal animals. One hundred and seventy‐six animals (103 cats and 73 dogs) were evaluated. Inspiratory dyspnea was associated with upper airway disease in dogs and expiratory dyspnea with lower airway disease in cats. Respiratory noises were significantly associated and highly sensitive and specific for upper airway disease. An asynchronous or inverse breathing pattern and decreased lung auscultation results were significantly associated with pleural space disease in both dogs and cats (PConclusions − Cats and dogs with pleural space disease can be identified by an asynchronous or inverse breathing pattern in combination with decreased lung sounds on auscultation.

Gegenstand und Ziel: Darstellung einer Vergiftung mit Alpha-Chloralose anhand von zwei Fällen sowie Zusammenstellung der diesbezüglichen Literatur. Patienten: Zwei Chihuahua-Hündinnen (3- bzw. 12-jährig) wurden nach Aufnahme von mit Alpha-Chloralose präparierten Fleischwürstchen vorgestellt. Ergebnisse: Beide Tiere zeigten Hypoventilation und neurologische Symptome, wobei sich eine Hündin mit Koma und Hypothermie präsentierte, die andere mit Koma, Krämpfen und normaler Temperatur. Initial stand die Aufrechterhaltung und Überwachung der Vitalfunktionen sowie die Dekontamination im Vordergrund. Beide Hunde wurden symptomatisch behandelt und konnten das Tierspital nach 3 Tagen verlassen. Aufgrund der neurologischen Symptome sind bei solchen Patienten andere ZNS-depressive Toxine ebenfalls in Betracht zu ziehen. In diesem Fall wurde das Toxin Alpha-Chloralose nachgewiesen. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Alpha-Chloralose-Intoxikationen sind bisher selten beschrieben. Zu den Symptomen zählen Hypothermie, Hypoventilation, Krämpfe, Koma, Narkose, Miosis, Hypersalivation, bronchiale Hyper-sekretion und Bradykardie. Eine Intoxikation mit Alpha-Chloralose sollte daher sowohl bei komatösen als auch krampfenden Tieren als Differenzialdiagnose in Betracht gezogen werden. Objective: Presentation of two cases of alpha-chloralose intoxication and review of the literature. Patients: Two female Chihuahua-dogs (3 and 12 years old) were presented after ingestion of alpha-chloralose containing meat sausages. Results: Both dogs showed hypoventilation and neurological symptoms. One dog displayed coma and hypothermia, the other one coma, seizures and normal temperature. Initially, maintenance and monitoring of the vital functions as well as decontamination were the main goals. Both dogs were treated symptomatically and could be discharged from the hospital after 3 days. Due to the neurological symptoms other ZNS depressive toxins have to be considered. In this case the toxin alpha-chloralose was detected. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Alpha-chloralose poisoning has been rarely described. Symptoms are hypothermia, hypoventilation, seizures, coma, miosis, hypersalivation, bronchial hyper-secretion, and bradycardia. Alpha-chloralose-intoxication should be considered in animals presented with coma as well as in animals with seizures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if pre-anaesthetic thoracic radiographs contribute to the anaesthetic management of trauma patients by comparing American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (ASA grade) with and without information from thoracic radiography findings. Case records of 157 dogs and cats being anaesthetized with or without post-traumatic, pre-anaesthetic chest radiographs were retrospectively evaluated for clinical parameters, radiographic abnormalities and anaesthetic protocol. Animals were retrospectively assigned an ASA grade. ASA grades, clinical signs of respiratory abnormalities and anaesthesia protocols were compared between animals with and without chest radiographs. The group of animals without pre-anaesthetic radiographs was anaesthetized earlier after trauma and showed less respiratory abnormalities at presentation. The retrospectively evaluated ASA grade significantly increased with the information from thoracic radiography. Animals with a higher ASA grade were less frequently mechanically ventilated. Pre-anaesthetic radiographs may provide important information to assess the ASA grade in traumatized patients and may therefore influence the anesthesia protocol.

Objective:To review the current understanding of dopamine and its use in the prevention and treatment of acute renal failure (ARF).Data sources:Original research articles and scientific reviews.Human data synthesis:Low‐dose dopamine administration has been shown to increase natriuresis and urinary output in both healthy individuals and in a few small studies in human patients with renal insufficiency. However, in several large meta‐analyses, dopamine treatment did not change mortality or the need for dialysis. Due to the potential side effects, the use of dopamine for prevention and treatment of ARF is no longer recommended in human medicine.Veterinary data synthesis:Low‐dose dopamine increases urinary output in healthy animals and animal models of ARF if given before the insult. There are no available studies looking at the effect of low‐dose dopamine therapy in naturally occurring ARF in dogs or cats.Conclusion:Due to the potential side effects of low‐dose dopamine therapy, the results from large human trials, and the lack of information in veterinary medicine, the use of dopamine for treatment of ARF in veterinary patients should be further evaluated.

Gegenstand und Ziel: Der Fallbericht beschreibt die serielle Messung und den Vergleich von peripher venösem Hämatokrit mit dem Hämatokrit der Abdominalflüssigkeit bei einem Hund mit traumabedingtem Hämoabdomen. Diese Methode half bei der Entscheidung zwischen konservativer und operativer Therapie. Material und Methoden: Bei einer 18 Monate alten Mischlingshündin wurde nach einem Autounfall mit Hämoabdomen vor und während der Stabilisation mit Flüssigkeitstherapie regelmäßig der abdominale und peripher venöse Hämatokrit bestimmt. Ergebnisse: Bei Präsentation betrug der peripher venöse Hämatokrit 39% und der abdominale Hämatokrit 42%. Nach Flüssigkeitstherapie sank der peripher venöse Hämatokrit auf 20%, während der abdominale Hämatokrit bei 40% stabil blieb. Die Hündin wurde konservativ behandelt. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Der Vergleich von Hämatokritwerten in abdominaler Flüssigkeit und venösem Blut kann hilfreich sein bei der Unterscheidung zwischen einer inaktiven abdominalen Blutung, die sich konservativ behandeln lässt, und einer ungestoppten abdominalen Blutung, die eine chirurgische Intervention notwendig macht. Objective: This case report describes the use of serial measurements of peripheral venous and abdominal fluid hematocrits as a guide to treatment in a dog with traumatic hemoabdomen. Material and methods: An 18-month-old, female mixed-breed dog was presented with traumatic hemoabdomen. The dog was treated with intravenous fluids, and concurrent measurements of venous and abdominal fluid hematocrits were performed. Results: The initial hematocrit values were 39% in venous blood and 42% in abdominal fluid. Following fluid therapy, the venous hematocrit decreased to 20%, whereas the abdominal hematocrit remained stable at 40%. Based on this finding severe ongoing intra-abdominal hemorrhage was ruled out, and the dog was treated conservatively. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Comparison of serial abdominal and venous hematocrits may be useful in assessing the need for surgical management in patients with traumatic hemoabdomen.

Gegenstand und Ziel: Beschreibung einer Katze mit Atem- und Kreislaufstillstand verursacht durch Hyperkaliämie nach ischämischer Muskelnekrose. Pathogenese, Klinik, Komplikationen und Therapie von ischämischer Muskelnekrose werden diskutiert und mögliche Ursachen, Symptome und Therapiemöglichkeiten einer Hyperkaliämie beschrieben. Material und Methoden: Fallbericht einer vierjährigen, männlich-kastrierten Hauskatze. Ergebnisse: Die Katze wurde erfolgreich reanimiert und die Hyperkaliämie ließ sich mittels verschiedener Therapieansätze normalisieren. Der Kater konnte nach Hause entlassen werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Bei ischämischer Muskelnekrose kann es während der Reperfusionsphase zu einer lebensgefährlichen Hyperkaliämie kommen, die überwacht und entsprechend therapiert werden muss. Bei aggressiver Flüssigkeitstherapie ist das Risiko einer Kaliumund Toxinfreisetzung aus dem ischämischen Muskel unter Umständen größer. Klinische Relevanz: Bei ischämischer Muskelnekrose sollten Kaliumkonzentration und Säure-Basen-Haushalt regelmäßig überwacht werden. Objective: Description of a cat with ischemic muscle necrosis that suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest due to hyperkalemia. Pathogenesis, clinical signs and therapy of ischemic muscle necrosis are discussed and possible causes, symptoms and treatment of hyperkalemia are shown. Material and methods: case report of a four-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat. Results: The cat was successfully resuscitated and hyperkalemia was treated with different treatment modalities. Conclusion: Ischemic muscle necrosis can lead to severe live-threatening hyperkalemia which has to be anticipated, monitored and treated adequately. Aggressive fluid therapy might be responsible for a higher risk of hyperkalemia in predisposed cases. Clinical relevance: Potassium concentrations and acid-base disturbances must be closely monitored in patients with ischemic muscle necrosis.