How Much Do People Remember?

Hello, Summarians!

Memory and information retention are funny things. We have come a long way in learning about education and learning styles but most of us do a poor job in utilizing all the available research. Sometimes it is as simple as sitting down and taking the time to listen, discuss, teach, and provide written summaries for the concepts we are trying to explain. No simple quick fixes…

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Calculating Lifetime Arthritis Costs in Dogs

This study aimed to determine and compare the lifetime costs of three treatment options for canine hip osteoarthritis (OA) resulting from canine hip dysplasia (CHD): multimodal conservative management, Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHNE), and Total Hip Replacement (THR). The findings indicated that FHNE was generally the least expensive option across different age groups, with conservative management being less costly in geriatric years. THR was more expensive overall, but its costs were not prohibitively higher for younger dogs presenting at 1 year old. The study also highlighted variations in costs across the country and between academic and private practices. 

The study emphasizes the need for veterinary practices to provide detailed cost information to pet owners to aid in decision-making. This approach takes into account not just the direct costs of treatment but also the broader financial implications for pet owners. It also addresses the limitations of existing data on treatment efficacy and outcomes, suggesting a need for further research to refine cost analyses and improve understanding of the long-term impacts of these treatments on pet wellness. 

Eginton, K. A., & Gordon-Evans, W. J. (2024). Lifetime cost of surgical treatment for canine hip osteoarthritis is less than conservative management in dogs under eight years of age. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.01.0043 

Bottom line — Something that isn’t often considered.

Salivary Biomarkers for Oral Tumors

This study highlights the use of salivary metabolomics to identify potential biomarkers for oral tumors in dogs, focusing on oral melanoma (OM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Employing a high-performance chemical isotope labeling (CIL) liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method, researchers analyzed the salivary metabolome of dogs to distinguish between benign oral tumors (BN) and cancerous conditions (OM and OSCC). 

Key findings include: 

Decreased levels of seryl-arginine and sarcosine in dogs with OSCC, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for this type of cancer. Seryl-arginine is linked to RNA splicing factors, which are critical in gene transcription and may be involved in carcinogenesis. Sarcosine is known for its role in promoting malignant proliferation in other cancers and showed a decreased concentration in dogs with OSCC. 

Several metabolites, such as tryptophyl-threonine and O-beta-D-xylosylzeatin, were found at increased levels in dogs with oral cancers compared to those with benign tumors, indicating their potential utility in distinguishing between benign and malignant oral conditions. 

 The study identified pathways such as aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and histidine metabolism as significantly affected in dogs with OM compared to BN, suggesting these pathways play a role in the progression of oral melanoma. 

The study concludes that salivary metabolomics can serve as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting oral cancers in dogs, offering a promising avenue for veterinary oncology. However, the results are preliminary and necessitate further validation with a larger cohort and inclusion of early-stage cases to enhance the diagnostic accuracy. 

Ploypetch S, Luo X, Zhao S, Roytrakul S, Li L, Suriyaphol G. Salivary metabolomic identification of biomarker candidates for oral melanoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2024; 1-12. doi:10.1111/jvim.17092 

Bottom line — Early results show promise diagnostically.

Client Comprehension Rate

The study examines the comprehension of discharge instructions at a veterinary neurological referral center and compares it to similar research in human medicine. In human medicine, the recall of discharge instructions varies widely, and providing written instructions can significantly improve understanding and correct usage of medications. 

In veterinary medicine, the study found that the relative percentage agreement (RPA) between clients' and clinicians' responses about pets' conditions and treatments was generally around 68.9% on the day of discharge, slightly decreasing two weeks later. This shows a significant, though not drastic, drop over time, indicating that forgetting is not a major issue shortly after discharge. However, the study did note considerable variation in individual RPAs, and specific questions related to medication and residual symptoms had much lower RPAs. 

Despite these findings, the study underscores the absence of veterinary research focused on clinician-pet owner communication compared to the abundance of literature in human medicine. The study also highlights the influence of age on comprehension, with older clients showing lower RPAs, suggesting that communication should be tailored to the client's age. Other factors, such as the client's medical background and the atmosphere during discharge, did not significantly affect RPAs. 

Overall, the study suggests the need for better communication strategies in veterinary settings, especially emphasizing critical discharge instructions, to ensure pet owners understand and remember the care instructions given. This could potentially improve the outcome for the pets and the satisfaction of the owners. 

Flegel T, Dobersek K, Bayer S, et al. Client's understanding of instructions for small animals in a veterinary neurological referral center. J Vet Intern Med. 2024; 1-12. doi:10.1111/jvim.17085 

Bottom line — We need to communicate in a way that works for the particular person.

Just putting things in perspective …