VETERINARY MEDICINE, Nov 1, 2005

Features

Symposium on fading puppy and kitten syndrome: Introduction

By Joni L. Freshman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

My goal for this symposium is to provide resources and encouragement for practicing veterinarians to confidently examine, perform appropriate diagnostic testing in, and treat these tiny patients.

Causes of fading puppy and kitten syndrome

By Joni L. Freshman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Chances are that you have been presented with puppies or kittens that have failed to thrive, some of which have eventually died.

Evaluating fading puppies and kittens

By Joni L. Freshman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Time is of the essence when working with a fading puppy or kitten. A systematic evaluation consisting of a history, physical examination of the litter and the dam, and specific diagnostic tests will help you narrow the list of possible causes quickly, so you can initiate treatment.

Initially treating fading puppies and kittens

By Joni L. Freshman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Timely treatment of ill neonates will provide the best chances of survival. Although time-consuming, intensive care of these puppies and kittens, which requires serial monitoring, can be extremely rewarding.

Fading puppy and kitten syndrome: Do you know the signs? (PDF)

The failure to thrive in newborn puppies and kittens, or neonates, is known as fading puppy and kitten syndrome. The syndrome can occur from birth to 9 weeks of age. Affected neonates can decline quickly and die, so immediate detection and treatment are key to survival. Be sure you know what to look for and what to do if you see any warning signs.

Departments

Editors' Note: The tiniest patients

By Margaret Rampey

From time to time, staff members at Veterinary Medicine bring their pets to work with them. It's nice to meet a colleague's dog, cat, bird, or, as in one case, Madagascar cockroach.

An Interview with... Dr. Mary Beth Leininger

Take an active role in professional organizations, says the first female presidentof the AVMA. "What we do today will determine whether our future colleagues are held in high esteem."

Practical Matters: Recheck low platelet counts in asymptomatic patients

By Todd Deppe, DVM, DACVIM (internal medicine)

Of all the values on a general blood panel (complete blood count, serum chemistry profile), the platelet count may have the greatest potential to fool you.

Practical Matters: Several liver enzyme activities may increase in dogs receiving corticosteroids

By Marina Ivancic, DVM , Todd Deppe, DVM, DACVIM (internal medicine)

We are frequently asked about the serum chemistry profile changes that may be seen in dogs receiving corticosteroids.

Practical Matters: Evaluate the urinary tract in patients with hyperadrenocorticism or diabetes mellitus

By Scott R. Helms, DVM, DABVP

Veterinarians often overlook the urinary tract when evaluating patients for endocrine diseases.

Idea Exchange: Thinner needles cause less discomfort

My colleagues and I use Ultra-Fine (BD) insulin syringes with 29-ga needles when drawing blood from kittens for our in-house FeLV/FIV test kits, which we do at their first appointment.

Idea Exchange: Medicine is easier to swallow when it tastes like peanut butter

When administering bad-tasting medicine to dogs, put the medicine on a piece of bread and spread a small amount of peanut butter over it.

Idea Exchange: An easier way to locate a drilled hole

When stabilizing a cranial cruciate ligament injury, locating the hole drilled in the tibial crest by using the free end of a wire can be frustrating.

Idea Exchange: Treating patients predisposed to GDV

When I am presented with a dog to spay or neuter that is a breed predisposed to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), I offer to perform a gastropexy while the patient is anesthetized.

Idea Exchange: Do-it-yourself erasable clipboard

An alternative to sticky notes or other pieces of paper attached to clipboards on cages is to purchase light-colored sticky shelf liner and cut it to fit the clipboards.

Idea Exchange: An idea for dogs that aren't smooth operators

Tell clients with dogs that have difficulty ambulating on smooth surfaces, particularly on stairs, to place bathtub mats on these surfaces.

Idea Exchange: Successful treatment for bloody milk (antiquated idea from 1913)

Calls to treat cows giving bloody milk are very common.

Correction: Idiosyncrasies in greyhounds that can affect their medical care (November 2005)

By William E. Feeman III, DVM

In the August 2005 issue, the article "Idiosyncrasies in greyhounds that can affect their medical care", it was stated that symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy is also known as pemphigus.

Mind Over Miller: The dangers of denial

By Robert M. Miller, DVM

One of the strongest and most destructive human emotions is denial. And in veterinary practice, especially companion-animal practice, we see denial every day.