A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of different diseases in cats referred for investigation of chronic nasal disease, to identify historical, clinical and diagnostic features which may assist in making a diagnosis, and to provide information pertaining to outcome in these cats. Diagnoses included neoplasia (30 cases), chronic rhinitis (27), foreign body (8), nasopharyngeal stenosis (5), Actinomyces infection (2), nasal polyps (2), stenotic nares (2), and rhinitis subsequent to trauma (1). The most common neoplasia was lymphosarcoma (21 cases), with a median survival of 98 days for cats treated with multiagent chemotherapy. Cats with neoplasia were older on average than the other cats, and were more likely to be dyspnoeic and have a haemorrhagic and/or unilateral nasal discharge than cats with chronic rhinitis. Cats with neoplasia were more likely to have radiographic evidence of nasal turbinate destruction, septal changes, or severe increases in soft tissue density than cats with chronic rhinitis. It was unusual for cats with diseases other than neoplasia to be euthanased as a result of their nasal disease.

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SummaryTen anaesthetists were observed while providing anaesthesia for two simulated surgical procedures, twice using conventional methods and twice using a prototype of a new drug administration system designed to reduce error. Aspects of each method were rated by users on 10-cm visual analogue scales (10 being best) and comments were invited. Median safety scores were 7.7 cm (range 4.3±8.9) for the new system and 4.6 cm (1.3±8.2) for conventional methods (p 0.009). The new system was compared favourably with conventional methods in respect of safety (p 0.005), clinical acceptability (p 0.008), organisation and layout (p 0.047), and acceptability for use on patients (p 0.005). The new system saved time in the preparation of drugs both before anaesthesia (105 vs. 346 s; p < 0.001) and during anaesthesia (20 vs. 104 s; p < 0.001). Comments facilitated development of the system and the evaluation endorsed proceeding to a clinical trial.

The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological and psychological responses to a university fitness session entitled 'popmobility'. A popmobility session consists of 20 min of aerobic activities, 5 min of local muscular endurance exercises and 5 min of flexibility exercises. Ten regular participants of these sessions, women of mean(s.d.) age 21.2(1.5) years, took part in the study. A maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) treadmill test was performed by each subject to obtain VO2max and maximum heart rate values. In a laboratory, heart rate and VO2 were measured throughout a popmobility session for each subject. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured every 5 min throughout the session. The mean intensity of the aerobic part of the session ranged from 67.7-82.6% of the subject's VO2max (mean of 76.4% VO2max). The mean heart rate reserve for the aerobic section was 75.6%. While the relative oxygen consumption remained fairly static during the aerobic section, the RPE score rose. The mean(s.d.) total energy expenditure was 236.6(28.4) kcal (range 203-288). The popmobility session is of adequate intensity to improve the aerobic fitness of its participants. Heart rate, as used as a measure of intensity during a popmobility session, would appear to be a fairly accurate indicator of intensity. However, the use of RPE for exercise prescription in popmobility sessions is inappropriate. Popmobility could also be useful in a weight-reduction programme.

Pediatric stroke is not a common occurrence. When compared with adults, the pediatric population has a much more diverse group of risk factors, and while numerous rare congenital disorders are possible, most known etiologies are cardiac, vascular, or hematologic. The emergency department (ED) presentation of pediatric stroke does not differ greatly from that of adults, although posterior circulation ischemia is less common, and neurologic findings may be more difficult to recognize. ED treatment is also largely the same, with an attention to resuscitation and avoidance of hypoxia, hypotension, hyperthermia, and changes in blood sugar. Use of specialized agents such as aspirin and heparin should be considered in certain cases. It is important for the emergency physician to recognize acute neurologic events in pediatric patients to minimize complications.

This multi-stage exercise test represents an easy and repeatable method for assessing the accuracy of rate-responsive sensors and offers valuable information for the correct setting of VVIR pacemakers in dogs.

Polydipsia, defined as a water intake of over 100 ml/kg/day, is a common presenting medical complaint in dogs. Polydipsia can be secondary (eg, to central or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) or primary in origin, where increased water intake cannot be explained as a response to obligatory water loss. Primary polydipsia is confirmed by ruling out other known causes of polydipsia and demonstrating that renal concentrating ability is intact. The causes and associations of primary polydipsia in dogs are poorly defined. This report describes three dogs presented with signs of gastrointestinal disease with concurrent polydipsia. Investigations (including water deprivation testing) showed normal renal urinary concentrating ability and indicated primary polydipsia. Treatment of the gastrointestinal signs resulted in resolution of the polydipsia in each case. This is the first description of a possible association between gastrointestinal disease and primary polydipsia in the dog, the pathophysiology of which remains obscure.

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