Guest Blogger William T. N. Culp, DVM, Diplomate, ACVS AirPlasma is a recently developed technique in which air is ionized to generate energy. This process is conducted without the use of gases such as argon and helium and utilizes only air as a conductor. The energy that is created is visible in the form of a glow and tissue can be vaporized with simultaneous capillary hemostasis. (Lacitignola 2020) AirPlasma has several advantages over other forms of similar devices. The AirPlasma device works at a much lower temperature than other plasma devices, and the local thermal damage at the poi ..read more

Tank is a 5-month-old male intact boxer who presented to the Emergency Service for acute vomiting and abdominal pain. The vomiting began about 12 hours before presentation. The referring veterinarian had obtained abdominal radiographs and was suspicious of a gastric foreign body. There was no other history of medical problems with Tank.   On physical examination, Tank was quiet but responsive, ambulatory, and mildly dehydrated. He was painful on abdominal palpation, especially in the mid to caudal abdomen. Only one testicle was palpable in his scrotum, which was determined to be the ..read more

 Click to register:  https://www.vetfolio.com/courses/surgical-management-of-intestinal-foreign-bodies-in-dogs-and-cats See you soon ..read more

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When managing open skin wounds in dogs and cats, bandaging materials and techniques are critical elements of the treatment strategy. The interior of the bandage that is in contact with the wound also called the primary layer and is the most important for creating a suitable environment for healing. Many options for the primary bandage layer are available, including wet saline sponges, dry sponges, silicone dressings, medical-grade honey gauze, petroleum-impregnated gauze, and Telfa pads. The ideal first layer of the bandage should encourage granulation tissue formation. It should not inhibit h ..read more

Signalment and Presentation Maximus, a healthy 6-month-old mixed breed neutered male cat, was presented for severe thermal burns over large areas of his body after jumping into a bathtub filled with scalding hot water.  The injury occurred just a few hours before presentation.   On admission, Maximus was tachycardic and severely painful. All four paws were red, swollen, and bleeding. The skin on his ventral abdomen and thorax was bright red and bruised. It appeared that the injury affected about 50% of his body. There was no other previous history of medical problems.   Ini ..read more

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  The Veterinary Key Points blog frequently uses the medical stories of dogs and cats to help illustrate the surgical illness or injury being discussed. Hershey had infected wounds on her back and rear legs that required skin reconstruction, Josie was shot with an arrow through her heart, car trauma ruptured the trachea in Tigger, and Jack developed a large hard palate tumor that we repaired with cartilage from his ear.    These stories and others like them are the focus of a book I’ve written entitled: Their Tails Kept Wagging: Pets Show ..read more

Stephen J. Birchard Rebecca L. Ball History and Physical Examination Jack was a 4-year-old neutered male golden retriever that presented for inspiratory stertor for several weeks. (Fig. 1) Fig. 1: Jack There was no other history of illness. On routine physical examination, no abnormalities were identified, but oral examination under sedation revealed a 4cm diameter firm circular mass in the caudal hard palate. (Fig. 2) The mass was not movable and extended the entire width of the hard palate between the molar teeth.  Fig. 2: Caudal hard palate mass Diagnostic Tests Pl ..read more

Fig. 1: 6 mo. old DSH named Tigger  Signalment and History Tigger is a 6-month-old male neutered Domestic Short Hair cat who was presented for repair of a fractured left femur. (Fig. 1) Tigger had been hit by a car a few days before presentation.    Physical Examination   On physical examination, the left rear leg was moderately swollen and crepitus was evident at the midshaft femur. The cat was also mildly dyspneic with tachypnea and mildly labored breathing. Thoracic auscultation was within normal limits.    Diagnostic Evaluation   Thoracic radiographs ..read more