Small Animal

October 2017
Canine spaying: the positives and negatives
Can we make evidence-based recommendations about neutering dogs, asks Kathryn Pratschke MVB MVM CertSAS DiplECVS MRCVS RCVS, European specialist in small animal surgery, UK

September 2017
Canine genitourinary carcinomas: where are we now and where are we going?
Katarzyna Purzycka DVM MRCVS, Ana Lara-Garcia DVM MRCVS MSc PhD DACVIM & ECVIM-CA (Oncology) and Sarah Stewart DVM DACVIM (SAIM) MRCVS, Royal Veterinary College Oncology Department, review the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment of canine genitourinary carcinomas

August 2017
Medical management of uroabdomen in cats
Cecilia Stilwell BVMS MRCVS, intern at Dick White Referrals, UK, discusses the treatment of the accumulation of urine within the abdominal cavity following injury to the urinary tract in cats

July 2017
Anaemia in dogs and cats (part 2)
In the second part of this article, RCVS recognised and European veterinary specialist in small animal medicine, Polly Frowde MAVetMB DipECVIM MRCVS examines the causes and management of regenerative anaemia

June 2017
Anaemia in dogs and cats (part 1)
Defined as a reduction in red blood cell mass, anaemia can be caused by red blood cell loss (haemorrhage, destruction) or reduced production; RCVS recognised and European veterinary specialist in small animal medicine, Polly Frowde MA VetMB DipECVIM MRCVS explores a logical approach to investigating anaemia in dogs and cats and summarises its main causes

May 2017
Canine pheochromocytoma
Isabelle Desmas, Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, UK, examines the diagnosis and the administering of medical treatment prior to surgical treatment of canine pheochromocytoma

April 2017
Communicating empathy in veterinary practice
Jantina McMurray DVM and Søren Boysen DVM DACVECC, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada, discuss communicating empathy in veterinary-client-patient interactions

March 2017
Intestinal surgery in small animals – how to prevent it leaking?
Kathryn Pratschke MVB MVM CertSAS DiplECVS MRCVS RCVS, European specialist in small animal surgery, provides a brief historical context for intestinal surgery and explains how we have reached our current recommendations for closing intestinal incisions, as well as addressing the question of how to prevent surgical sites leaking

February 2017
Trematodes in farm and companion animals
The comparative aspects of parasitic trematodes of companion animals, ruminants and humans is presented by Maggie Fisher BVetMed CBiol MRCVS FRSB, managing director and Peter Holdsworth AO Bsc (Hon) PhD FRSB FAICD, senior manager, Ridgeway Research Ltd, Park Farm Building, Gloucestershire, UK

January 2017
Adverse health consequences associated with canine angiostrongylosis
Adam Shuttleworth and Hany Elsheikha BVSc MSc PhD DipEVPC FHEA FRSPH, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, UK, outline how angiostrongylosis, the cardiopulmonary disease, affects dogs

December 2016
Pug health using VetCompass ‘big data’
Dan O’Neill MVB BSc(hons) GPCert(SAP) GPCert(FelP) GPCert(Derm) GPCert(B&PS) MSc(VetEpi) MRCVS, Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, The Royal Veterinary College, UK, discusses recent research on the demography and common disorders of the general population of Pugs under veterinary care in England. These results are likely to be mirrored in Ireland

November 2016
Common inflammatory liver diseases in the dog (part 2)
The second article in a two-part series on management of acute and chronic hepatitis in dogs, is presented by Daniel Davies BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS (Hons) MRCVS, resident in small animal diagnostic imaging, University College Dublin

October 2016
Common inflammatory liver diseases in the dog (part 1)
The pathogenesis, clinical signs and diagnosis of common inflammatory liver diseases in dogs, is outlined by Daniel Davies BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS (Hons) MRCVS, resident in small animal diagnostic imaging, University College Dublin

September 2016
Bleeding disorders: causes and treatment
Daria Starybrat DVM MRCVS; Joy Fenner BVM BVS CertAVP(ECC) MRCVS;Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS, Dick White Referrals, The Six Mile Bottom Veterinary Specialist Centre, Station Farm, Cambridgeshire, UK, review normal haemostasis before outlining the diagnostic approach, therapies and specific causes of abnormal coagulation

August 2016
Wildlife crime: call to action
Globally, wildlife crime threatens biodiversity and sustainable development of communities. Ana Vale, Mike Rendle and Emma Higgs, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, discuss how veterinary professionals can provide medical assistance and raise awareness

July 2016
Initial triage, diagnosis, and stabilisation of the acutely collapsed dog
Professor Søren R Boysen DVM DACVECC, Veterinary Clinical Diagnostic Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada, outlines why, due to the variation in prognosis and the plethora of underlying causes, an efficient diagnostic work-up is essential to reach an accurate diagnosis of the acutely collapsed dog

June 2016
Acute ocular chemical injuries: recognition and treatment
Professor Sheila Crispin MA VetMB BSc PhD DVA DVOphthal DECVO FRCVS, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Comparative and Clinical Anatomy, University of Bristol, UK, outlines how to recognise and treat acute ocular chemical injuries

May 2016
Canine idiopathic epilepsy
Clare Rusbridge BVMS DECVN PhD MRCVS, European and RCVS Specialist in Neurology, discusses canine idiopathic epilepsy

April 2016
Canine appendicular osteosarcoma
What are the different treatment options veterinary practitioners have in relation to canine appendicular osteosarcoma, writes Beatriz Belda, Canadian Veterinary Hospital, Doha (Qatar), Ana Lara-Garcia and Pilar Lafuente, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, London (UK)

March 2016
Management of congestive heart failure on a budget
Congestive heart failure can account for up to 38% of all cases of dyspnoea. While CHF can be managed well, with strong evidence for multi-drug therapy, treatment can be a costly exercise and successful management is ultimately often limited by financial considerations. Treatment of CHF is similar irrespective of underlying cause, but a diagnosis can aid prognosis and alter recommended follow-up. Reported median survival times in dogs with CHF are reported to be between 6-12 months, writes Chris Linney BVSc GPCertSAP CertAVP(VC) MRCVS RCVS, advanced practitioner in veterinary cardiology, Cardiology Department, Willows Referral Service, UK

February 2016
Hypoadrenocorticism
A logical approach to the feline patient in respiratory distress, including collection of a brief history, signalment information and performing a physical examination, will allow the clinician to localise the pathological process, writes Daria Starybrat DVM MRCVS and Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS, Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom Veterinary Specialist Centre, Cambridgeshire, UK

January 2016
Approaching the dyspnoeic cat in the middle of the night
A logical approach to the feline patient in respiratory distress, including collection of a brief history, signalment information and performing a physical examination, will allow the clinician to localise the pathological process, writes Daria Starybrat DVM MRCVS and Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS, Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom Veterinary Specialist Centre, Cambridgeshire, UK

December 2015
Managing the intoxicated patient
Intoxication, or suspicion of intoxication, is a relatively common presentation in dogs and cats, so knowing how to manage the patient is important, writes Karen Humm MA VetMB CertVA DACVECC DipECVECC FHEA MRCVS, lecturer in small animal emergency and critical care, The Royal Veterinary College, UK

November 2015
Current thinking about brachycephalic syndrome: more than just airways
Brachycephalic syndrome (BS) describes the result of hereditary abnormalities occurring in dogs and cats from selective breeding for shorter heads and dorsorotation of the face. Although respiratory problems are the best recognised of the problems associated with BS, the problem is not limited to the respiratory tract, writes Kathryn M Pratschke, North East Veterinary Referrals, Northumberland Business Park West, UK

October 2015
An approach to gastrointestinal haemorrhage
Søren Boysen DVM DACVECC and Jantina McMurray DVM, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada, provide a guide to the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal haemorrhage in companion animals

September 2015
Handling difficult euthanasia discussions
Disagreements about euthanasia are not widely discussed within the profession, writes Caroline Hewson MVB PhD MRCVS (The Pet Loss Vet), CJ Hewson Limited, Somerset, UK. This article reviews psychosocial aspects of those cases where clients are reluctant to agree to euthanasia. It also outlines some ethical and practical points that may help vets prevent or allay disagreements

August 2015
Managing head-trauma patients
An overview of the evaluation and treatment of head trauma in small animal patients is provided by Søren Boysen DVM DACVECC, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada

July 2015
A guide to writing a scientific paper
Writing a paper can be a challenging and daunting task for the inexperienced vet who has not written one before. Professor Emeritus Boyd Jones BVSC FACVSc DECVIM-Ca MRCVS, former professor of small animal clinical studies at UCD, provides some helpful guidelines and suggestions, based on his experience, on what to do and what not to do when preparing a scientific paper for a veterinary journal or other publication

June 2015
Urinary incontinence in veterinary patients: not just a medical problem
Urinary incontinence is a complex and multifactorial disease in veterinary patients, requiring thorough evaluation to provide the best treatment recommendation and prognosis, writes Kathryn Marguerite Pratschke MVB MVM CertSAS DiplECVS MRCVS, small animal surgical specialist.

May 2015
Imaging the pancreas
The diagnosis of pancreatic disease can be challenging but has been improved in recent years with the introduction and advancement of various diagnostic tests.

April 2015
Mast cell tumours in dogs
Small animal surgical specialist, Kathryn Marguerite Pratschke, provides an overview of treatment therapies to optimise outcomes with cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs

March 2015
Ileus and related gastrointestinal problems in pet rabbits
Ileus and gastrointestinal disease in rabbits can present frequently in practice. With a basic knowledge of the gastrointestinal tract’s function and a practical protocol, they can be successfully treated, writes Livia Benato DVM MSc CertZooMed Dip ECZM (Small Mammals) MRCVS

February 2015
Cardiac auscultation
Vets in small animal practice must make many decisions in the consulting room using the information gathered from clinical examination, writes Ruth Willis BVM&S DVC MRCVS RCVS, Recognised Specialist in Cardiology, Vets Now Referrals, UK. This article discusses normal and abnormal heart sounds referring to auscultation recordings from small animal patients

January 2015
Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia
Clare Rusbridge, Chief of Neurology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Eashing, Godalming, Surrey,
and Reader in Veterinary Neurology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, UK

December 2014
Management of medial patellar luxation in dogs: what you need to know
Pablo Pérez LdoVet MRCVS, Waggin’ Tails Chelsea Veterinary Clinic, London, UK, and Pilar Lafuente DVM PhD DACVS-SA DECVS CCRT MRCVS, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK

November 2014
CPR: what are the current recommendations?
Kathryn Marguerite Pratschke MVB MVM CertSAS DiplECVS MRCVS
Small Animal Surgical Specialist, Stirling, UK

October 2014
Canine and feline blood transfusions in practice
Jenny Helm BVMS Cert SAM DipECVIM-CA FHEA MRCVS
Clinician in Oncology, Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, Scotland

September 2014
Canine hypothyroidism: making a definitive diagnosis
Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Internal Medicine
Dick White Referrals, The Six Mile Bottom Veterinary Specialist Centre,
Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, UK

August 2014
Grief for pets Part 2: Realistic client care so that you ‘do no harm’
Caroline Hewson MVB PhD MRCVS
Director, The Loss of Your Pet, CJ Hewson Limited, Taunton, Somerset, UK

July 2014
Grief for pets Part 1: Overview and update on the literature
Caroline Hewson MVB PhD MRCVS
CJ Hewson Limited, Calyx House, South Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3DU
Tel: 00 44 (0) 797 5805 519, Email:

June 2014
Wildlife seen, treatment and outcomes in Irish veterinary hospitals and clinics
Dr O. Clyde Hutchinson, Yvette Durcan and Emma Higgs
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, Duleek, Co. Meath

May 2014
Gastric dilatation and volvulus
Nicola Kulendra, BVetMed (Hons) MVetMed CertVDI DipECVS MRCVS
Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery, The Royal Veterinary College

April 2014
Shelter medicine - herd health for cats and dogs
Jenny Stavisky
Clinical Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham

March 2014
The approach to the feline disrupted stifle joint
Karen L Perry BVM&S CertSAS DiplECVS MRCVS
European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics), The Royal Veterinary College
Poppy C Bristow BVetMed MRCVS
Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Surgery, The Royal Veterinary College

February 2014
Management of metacarpal and metatarsal fractures
Elvin Kulendra BVetMed MVetMed CertVDI DipECVS MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, London

January 2014
Is your practice fit for practise?
Frank O’Sullivan and Peter Bishton

December 2013
Canine tonsillar Squamous cell carcinoma
Isabelle Desmas, DVM, MRCVS, Senior Clinical Training scholar in Oncology, Queen Mother Hospital, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, AL97TA, Hatfield, UK

November 2013
Health screening in older cats
Sarah M. A. Caney BVSc PhD DSAM (feline) MRCVS

October 2013
Clinical approach to the adult Doberman Pinschers with cervical spondylomyelopathy (‘wobbler syndrome’)
Dr Decker Steven, DVM, PhD, MvetMed, MRCVS

September 2013
Initial management of the trauma patient
Pilar Lafuente DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVS/ECVS, MRCVS
Dept. Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK

August 2013
Hand hygiene – to rub or to scrub? That is the question
Mairead Deasy, Dip AVN Dip HE CVN RVN

July 2013
Canine oral melanoma
Isabelle Desmas, DVM, MRCVS, Senior Clinical Training scholar in Oncology. Queen Mother Hospital , Royal Veterinary College Hawkshead lane, AL97TA, Hatfield, UK

June 2013
Lens Disorder in cats and dogs
Natasha Mitchell MVB DVOphthal MRCVS, Eye Vet, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick

May 2013
Initial management of the trauma patient
Pilar Lafuente DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVS/ECVS, MRCVS
Dept. Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK