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The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. Melinda D. Merck
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| By
Melinda D. Merck, DVM
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This high-profile forensic veterinarian investigates animal cruelty cases, which no one wants to see. But she says she finds the work satisfying because "I am giving the animal a voice."
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Research Update: Using thermography to evaluate limbs in dogs
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| By
Joseph Harari, MS, DVM, DACVS
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In this prospective study from a referral practice, the limbs of 10 healthy dogs were evaluated by using a thermographic imaging protocol to determine normal cutaneous thermographic patterns (a color map that indicates the skin temperature distribution) and evaluate the effect of hair clipping.
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Research Update: Effect of the moon on emergency room visits
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| By
Joseph Harari, MS, DVM, DACVS
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In this retrospective case series from a university veterinary medical center, the frequency of canine and feline emergency visits were noted with respect to the lunar cycle.
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Research Update: Comparing temperature measurement devices in dogs
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| By
Joseph Harari, MS, DVM, DACVS
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In this prospective study, eight research dogs were used to compare temperature assessments made with a predictive rectal thermometer (the early rate of temperature change mathematically predicts the final temperature), an infrared auricular thermometer, and a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip.
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Research Update: How well does abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation guide surgeons?
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| By
Joseph Harari, MS, DVM, DACVS
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In this retrospective study of 100 cases from a veterinary college, preoperative abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy findings were reviewed to determine agreement and discrepancy rates and identify lesions likely to be missed by ultrasonography.
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Research Update: The prevalence of and risk factors for canine appendicular osteosarcoma
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| By
Joseph Harari, MS, DVM, DACVS
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In this retrospective study of dogs treated at a veterinary teaching hospital, the prevalence of appendicular osteosarcoma in greyhounds compared with other breeds was examined, along with the potential risk factors for developing the disease.
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Idea Exchange: Put the date where it can't be missed
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Writing an expiration date on a flea-and-tick collar helps ensure that it will be replaced in a timely manner.
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Idea Exchange: Keep staff members on time
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Since all our employees are responsible for keeping up with their duties in a timely fashion, each employee has a stopwatch with an alarm.
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Idea Exchange: A wag-proof tail protector
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To help heal and protect a patient's tail when it is being banged against the cage wall, cut a section of foam pipe insulator to size and secure it to the tail with tape or elastic.
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Idea Exchange: A quick tip for intubating small patients
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To intubate our small patients, we use a polypropylene urinary catheter as a stylet, extending beyond the end of the tracheal tube by ½ in.
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Idea Exchange: D.I.Y. free-catch urine sample catcher
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To make it easier to obtain free-catch urine samples, especially from low-squatting female dogs, we screwed a stainless steel ladle to the end of a broomstick.
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Idea Exchange: Minimize catheter-pulling discomfort
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To minimize discomfort, cut the tape holding a cat's catheter in place while the cat is still recovering from anesthesia.
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Idea Exchange: A simple solution that prevents pulled hair
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When muzzling a longhaired dog, place a paper towel over the back of its neck to prevent the hair from getting stuck in the buckle.
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Mind Over Miller: Exercise your right to write prescriptions
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| By
Robert M. Miller, DVM
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Although doctors of veterinary medicine have the same prescription writing authority as physicians do, many practitioners infrequently write prescriptions. I wrote many during my practice career, and I want to share the reasons that I did so.
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