OBJECTIVESThe Miniature Schnauzer has increased in popularity over the last two decades, with the number of puppies being registered with the Kennel Club doubling over this period. This study aimed to describe the demography and disorders in Miniature Schnauzers attending UK primary veterinary practice.
METHODSAll dogs recorded as Miniature Schnauzer and under veterinary care during 2013 were extracted from the VetCompass database of primary-care clinical records. The full clinical records of a random sample were manually examined in detail to extract data on all disorders recorded during 2013.
RESULTSThe study examined 1,970 (51.1%) from the overall 3,857 Miniature Schnauzers identified. The median age was 3 years 11 months (IQR: 1year 7 months to 6 years 5 months). Overall, 63.8% of the females and 49.4% of the males were neutered.The most prevalent disorders were dental disease (n=357, 18.1%, 95% CI 16.4-19.8%), obesity (n=165, 8.4%, 95% CI 7.2-9.6%), anal sac impaction (n=116, 5.8%, 95% CI 4.8-6.8%), vomiting (n=106,5.4%, 95% CI 4.4-6.9%), otitis externa (n=101, 5.1%, 95% CI 4.2-6.1%), ear disorder (n=100, 5.1%, 95% CI 4.1-6.1%), heart murmur (n=82, 4.2%, 95% CI 3.3-5.0%), diarrhoea (n=82, 4.2%, 95% CI 3.3-5.0%) and skin mass (n=70, 3.6%, 95% CI 2.7-4.4%).
STATEMENTThese results provide generalisable and up to-date evidence to inform veterinarians, breeders and dog owners on the commmon health issues affecting the Miniature Schnauzer. This study will also help to prioritise disorders for future research in Miniature Schnauzers.
OBJECTIVESTo establish the efficacy of heparinised versus normal saline solution in maintaining intravenous catheter patency in dogs.
METHODSProspective randomised double blinded clinical investigation. Twelve client owned dogs hospitalised for radiotherapy requiring an intravenous catheter for at least 24 hours had a 20g catheter placed in their cephalic vein. Flush solution was either 2 IU ml -1 heparin in 0.9% saline (Group HS) or 0.9% saline only (Group S) and patients requiring subsequent catheters were reassigned to the alternative solution with each successive placement. Upon removal a questionnaire was completed to capture duration of placement and reasons for removal or loss. Data were tested for normality and analysed with Mann Whitney U and Fisher's Exact tests; p<0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTSThirty-five catheters (17 Group HS, 18 Group S) were placed in 12 dogs; median placement duration was 91.6 (30.4-105.6) hours. Catheter loss overall was 18% (Group HS) and 28% (Group S). Loss due to thrombus formation was 5.9% (Group HS) and 5.5% (Group S). No significant differences for catheter duration (p=0.82),