Should We Fast Horses for Surgery?

Hello, Smmarians!

Well, it looks like summer is ending… Time to recommit to catching up on all those journals. We are here to help. 🙂 

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Accuracy of FitBark 2 in Dogs

The pilot study evaluated the FitBark 2, a commercially available accelerometer for dogs, against the Actical, a validated gold standard accelerometer, to assess its accuracy in measuring dog activity. The study hypothesized that the FitBark 2 would show a strong correlation with the Actical during various activity levels and rest periods. 

Key findings include: 

• Overall Correlation: The FitBark 2 showed a strong correlation with the Actical, particularly over longer periods, such as a week. The correlation was less robust during shorter durations and specific activities, such as leash walking. 

• Activity Types: The FitBark 2 was found to be accurate for tracking activity in off-leash dogs but may undersense activity when the dog is on a leash. The study observed lower correlation on the day of leash walking, potentially due to gait alterations caused by leash use. 

• Data Collection: The FitBark 2 provides real-time feedback through a smartphone app, making data access easier than the Actical, which requires physical data retrieval. However, technical issues such as syncing problems and battery life led to incomplete data for some dogs. 

• Study Limitations: The small sample size and single activity type limited the study. There were also technical challenges with the FitBark 2, and the Actical data collection had issues due to device malfunctions. 

• Conclusion: The FitBark 2 can be a useful tool for assessing dog activity and rest, with good overall correlation to the Actical but variability depending on activity type and duration. Further research is needed to validate its accuracy across different conditions and longer durations. 

The pilot study suggests that while the FitBark 2 shows promise, additional validation is required before it can be widely adopted in veterinary practice. 

Hilborn, E. C., Rudinsky, A. J., & Kieves, N. R. (2024). Commercially available wearable health monitors in dogs only had a very strong correlation during longer durations of time: a pilot study. American Journal of Veterinary Research https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.06.0162 

Bottom line — It shows promise.

Surgical Fasting for Horses

The study examined the impact of perioperative fasting on manure output, anesthetic outcomes, water intake, and postanesthetic colic (PAC) in horses undergoing elective general anesthesia. Historically, fasting horses before anesthesia was standard to avoid complications, but this practice lacks solid evidence supporting its benefits and may have adverse effects like reduced water intake and increased colic risk. 

The study compared two groups: one with free-choice hay access (nonfasted) and one that was fasted before and slowly refed after anesthesia. It found that nonfasted horses had significantly higher manure output and passed manure sooner postoperatively, without affecting anesthetic parameters like hypoxemia or hypotension. PAC incidence was higher in the fasted groups (13%) compared to the nonfasted group (0%), but this difference wasn't statistically significant. 

Water intake was similar across groups, and the use of muzzles in fasted horses didn't impact manure output or water consumption. The study highlights that continuous hay access perioperatively might benefit manure production and reduce stress, though more research is needed to confirm these findings and objectively measure gastrointestinal motility. The study supports updating hospital protocols to allow free-choice hay before anesthesia. 

Barton, C. K., Hector, R. C., Hendrickson, D. A., Kawcak, C. E., Nelson, B. B., & Goodrich, L. R. (2024). Fasting horses perioperatively decreases manure production and increases time to manure output postoperatively: a controlled randomized trial. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(9), 1201-1208.  https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.04.0235 

Bottom line — We may need to rethink the standard protocols.

Genetic screening for canine olfactory ability

Bacterial septic peritonitis is a critical condition in small animals, often leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. The primary cause is usually bacterial leakage from gastrointestinal (GI) injury, but it can arise from infections in other abdominal organs. Diagnosis typically involves imaging techniques such as radiography, ultrasound, or CT, with ultrasound being most commonly used in clinical settings. 

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of abdominal ultrasound in diagnosing septic peritonitis by comparing ultrasound findings to surgical or necropsy results. The study found that: 

Ultrasound Accuracy: Abdominal ultrasound correctly diagnosed septic peritonitis in just over 50% of cases. It was particularly effective at identifying GI tract lesions, often associated with pneumoperitoneum, which indicates gas leakage from GI perforations. 

Lesion Detection: The ultrasound was less reliable for detecting non-GI lesions causing septic peritonitis due to their less distinct sonographic features and lack of free gas, which makes them harder to diagnose. 

Species and Weight Impact: The study found no significant effect of species or body weight on ultrasound results, suggesting that factors like patient size do not majorly influence the effectiveness of ultrasound in diagnosing septic peritonitis. 

Survival Rates: Animals with GI tract lesions had higher survival rates, potentially because these lesions often present with more recognizable clinical signs and are more amenable to surgical intervention. 

Clinical Implications: The study suggests that while ultrasound is valuable for identifying the causative lesion and aiding in surgical planning, it may not be necessary if septic peritonitis has already been diagnosed through other means, like cytology of abdominal effusion. The use of ultrasound can add time, cost, and risk to already critical cases. 

Limitations: The study had a small sample size, particularly for cats, and variability in imaging techniques could affect generalizability. A prospective study could provide clearer insights into the cost-effectiveness and benefits of abdominal ultrasound in this context. 

Rheingold, C. G., Dickens, C., Tran, A., Hess, R. S., & Buriko, Y. (2024). Abdominal ultrasound has inconsistent agreement with subsequent surgery or necropsy findings in dogs and cats with septic peritonitis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.04.0271 

Bottom line — It is one tool but not always needed in dogs.

Just putting things in perspective …