Fluoroquinolones and the Feline Retina

A short while back someone emailed me to ask what my recommendations are when it comes to using fluoroquinolones in cats with respect to the potential for retinal damage and blindness. She had been discussing the issue with colleagues in her practice and there was no consensus which was not helped by the fact that the formularies and other book resources they had available did not entirely agree with each other – quelle surprise?!

Immunosuppressive drugs in canine primary IMHA: what's the evidence?

Background

In the treatment of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), both primary (idiopathic) and secondary, immunosuppressive therapy is essential.

Decompression in canine GDV: orogastric intubation? gastric trocarisation?

Background

Gastric decompression is an essential part of the initial pre-operative stabilisation of dogs with GDV once aggressive intravenous fluid therapy is under way. There are two methods of achieving this: orogastric intubation and needle puncture (gastric trocarisation).

'Clinically proven' - what should it mean?

I recently came across information about a cooling mat for dogs and cats. AniMat Cool Gel Mat™ (AnimAlarm®, http://theanimalarm.com/animat-cool-gel-mat/) which the company says “uses a unique patented gel that stays cool automatically with no activation”. Well of course this pricked my interest because I started to think about ways in which we could use this in the clinic.