Results indicated that the response to a low-dose aspirin regimen varied among healthy dogs.

Objective To determine if platelet additive solutions (PAS) decrease the occurrence and degree of platelet storage lesions, maintain platelet function, and extend storage time in vitro beyond 5 days at 22°C when compared to platelets stored in plasma only. Design Prospective, ex vivo experimental controlled study. Setting Research laboratory in a school of veterinary medicine. Animals Twelve units of canine platelet concentrate prepared from fresh whole blood donations. Interventions Platelet concentrates were aliquoted into 4 units and stored at room temperature (22°C) under constant agitation in either 100% plasma (control) or 35% plasma and 65% of 1 of 3 different PAS (Plasma‐Lyte A, Isoplate, and InterSol) for 7 days. At days 0, 3, 5, and 7, samples were analyzed for presence of swirling, degree of aggregate formation, platelet count, platelet indices, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, Pvo2, and Pvco2 concentrations, aggregation via light aggregometry, and activation percentage based on flow cytometric measurement of surface P‐selectin. Bacterial cultures were performed on days 0, 5, and 7. Measurements and main results Isoplate had a higher incidence of aggregate formation on day 0 (n = 2), and Plasma‐Lyte A had a higher incidence of loss of swirl on day 7 (n = 5). Plasma‐stored samples had significantly higher platelet counts (P < 0.001), pH (P < 0.05), Pvco2 (P < 0.001), and lactate (P < 0.001), and significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05) as compared to all PAS. The mean pH remained above 7.2 in PAS and plasma. There was no difference in platelet activation between plasma and PAS. Changes in platelet indices, glucose consumption, and maximum aggregation varied by storage solution. There was no bacterial growth seen in any samples. Conclusions The 3 PAS performed similarly and could all be considered as potential replacements for plasma during the room temperature storage of canine platelet concentrate for up to 7 days.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether delivery of compounded liquid sildenafil directly to the stomach of dogs with megaesophagus (ME) would affect esophageal clearance, regurgitation frequency, body weight, or quality of life. ANIMALS 10 client-owned otherwise healthy dogs with stable ME. PROCEDURES A randomized crossover study was performed. Dogs received either sildenafil (1 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) or a placebo for 14 days, followed by a 7-day washout period, then the opposite treatment for 14 days. Esophageal clearance time was assessed by means of videofluoroscopy prior to treatment and on day 1 of each treatment period. Owners maintained logs of regurgitation episodes and quality of life. RESULTS Compounded liquid sildenafil moved into the stomach during 21 of 30 (70%) videofluoroscopy sessions. Sildenafil resulted in a significant reduction in the number of regurgitation episodes (median, 3.5 episodes/wk; range, 0 to 14.5 episodes/wk), compared with baseline (median, 6.5 episodes/wk; range, 1.5 to 19.5 episodes/wk) and the placebo (median, 4 episodes/wk; range, 0 to 28 episodes/wk), and a significant increase in body weight (median, 22.05 kg; range, 6 to 26.3 kg), compared with baseline (median, 21.55 kg; range, 5.1 to 26.2 kg) and the placebo (median, 22.9 kg; range, 5.8 to 25.9 kg). There were no differences in esophageal clearance times or quality-of life-scores between sildenafil and placebo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although significant differences with placebo administration were identified, clinically relevant improvements were not seen with the use of compounded liquid sildenafil in dogs with ME.

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Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) is an antiplatelet medication used for prevention of thromboembolism. Effects of ASA appear to vary widely between dogs, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. The Multiplate analyzer is a newer form of whole-blood impedance aggregometry recently validated for use in healthy dogs. A method utilizing this instrument to measure ASA effects on platelet function has not been established. The goals of this study were to establish reference ranges for the Multiplate in healthy dogs and secondly, to develop a technique to determine the in vitro concentration of ASA needed to cause 50% inhibition of platelet aggregation (IC50). Reference ranges established from 40 dogs at multiple test times for three agonists were consistent with previously published values. In vitro IC50 values were calculated using the sigmoid E model in 20 healthy dogs on two occasions to determine individual repeatability. Calculated in vitro IC50 demonstrated four ASA response groups: responder (n = 16), poor responder (n = 1), variable responder (n = 2), and nonresponder (n = 1). Multiplate within-assay variability was <10% for area under the curve (AUC), and between-assay baseline AUC variability was <15%. The described technique allowed for determination of an in vitro IC50 for ASA in dogs using a multiple electrode impedance aggregometer.

Movement of food material in the esophagus during upright feeding in dogs with megaesophagus (ME) is poorly characterized. A standardized contrast videofluoroscopy technique was used to evaluate esophageal transit characteristics in dogs with ME while in an upright position. Twelve dogs with ME (congenital, acquired idiopathic, or secondary to myasthenia gravis) were placed in an upright position using Bailey chairs and given liquid barium, canned food meatballs, and their normal diet consistency if different than meatballs. Passage of ingesta was videofluoroscopically evaluated by direct observation and change in ingesta area as determined by manual tracing or barium column product calculations. Significant individual variation was seen. Complete esophageal clearance of liquid was seen in four dogs, and complete clearance of meatballs in three dogs, with a median time of 5 min for both. Two of seven dogs fed a slurry diet had complete clearance by 10 min. No significant difference was found between area calculated via tracing or barium column product. Based on imaging results, alterations in food consistency, duration upright, or medication were recommended for nine dogs. In dogs with ME accustomed to a Bailey chair, contrast videofluoroscopy was technically straightforward and allowed for more specific physician-guided management recommendations.

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ObjectiveTo develop and assess the instructional efficacy of an online learning module on transfusion reactions in small animals and to evaluate participants’ satisfaction of the module.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.SubjectsA total of 55, fourth‐year veterinary students, 27 in a treatment group that received the learning module plus standard rotation training and 28 in a control group (no module) who received only standard trainingInterventionsStudents received a pretest on transfusion reactions followed by administration of a transfusion reaction learning module covering recognition, treatment, prevention, case examples, and self‐assessment questions for 6 common transfusion reactions. Students also received a module satisfaction survey, a post‐test at 2 weeks post‐module, and a retention test at 6 weeks post‐module.Measurements and main resultsPrevious transfusion medicine exposure did not affect pretest scores and there was no difference in pretest scores between groups. The module group scored higher on the post‐test (P < 0.001) and retention test (P = 0.002) than the control group. Mean post‐test scores were 74.4% and 57.7% and mean retention test scores were 80.6% and 56.5% for the module and control groups, respectively. The module group scored higher on posttest and retention questions involving reaction recognition (P < 0.001). Students were overall very satisfied with the module with an average score of 4.8 (1‐5).ConclusionsA transfusion reaction instructional module can be delivered successfully to veterinary students on an ICU‐based clinical rotation. Students taking the module scored significantly better on post‐assessments up to 6 weeks after module administration as compared to students receiving only conventional clinical rotation training.