Delivery of <scp>AgNP</scp> led to more pronounced local retention in the subcutaneous versus intraperitoneal location with limited uptake and toxic effects in rats

Veterinary Surgery · 2026-03-12

OBJECTIVE: To determine adverse effects of intraperitoneally (IP) or subcutaneously (SC) delivered silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in poloxamer 407 (P407; AgNP-P407) and local retention and systemic uptake in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled randomized trial. ANIMALS: A total of 25 rats. METHODS: A total of 10 rats were randomly assigned in Phase 1 to a SC or IP surgical delivery group (5 rats/group) to receive 0.01 mg AgNP/rat in P407 (1:2 volume ratio). A total of 15 rats (5/group) were used in Phase 2 to receive IP: gel only (1.0 mL), AgNP-P407 (0.01 mg AgNP in 1.0 mL P407) or AgNP (0.01 mg in aqueous buffer). Incisions were assessed daily. Euthanasia was performed on day 7. The SC surgery sites and organs were harvested and evaluated histologically with scores reported. Plasma was obtained and batch analyzed together with organs for Ag content using mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: All rats survived the duration of the study. Minimal local histologic toxicity was seen after SC delivery. Plasma Ag peaked earlier for IP than SC delivery (p = .08) and for Ag delivered IP without gel (p = .04). Organ Ag uptake was minimal; macrophage aggregation was identified in the spleen and lymph node consistently. Rats that received P407 had increased cholesterol, whereas changes in total protein, albumin, glucose, amylase and lipase were seen for all groups. CONCLUSION: No adverse events were noted after use of AgNP-P407, while Ag uptake was delayed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of AgNP-P407 may be possible without systemic effects and prolonged local presence, but further testing is needed.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic increased caseload and stress in veterinary surgeons, but positive changes to working environments did occur

American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2026-02-24

Objective: To report the changes in veterinary surgeon schedules, workflow, and job satisfaction associated with the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2021. Methods: A voluntary, nonincentivized, anonymized 40-question internet survey was deployed from November 2021 through February 2022. Veterinary surgeons were surveyed regarding schedule alterations and support implemented by their employers during the pandemic as well as changes in their job satisfaction. Associations between demographics and responses were analyzed. Results: 333 respondents, including veterinary surgeons and residents, participated. Most respondents worked in private clinical practice (211 of 320 [65.9%]), followed by academia (95 of 313 [30.3%]). The pandemic significantly affected the work schedule of 245 of 333 respondents (77%), especially those in private practice and influenced by employment position, such as staff surgeon versus owner. 185 of 245 surgeons (76%) reported a stressful work environment, and 244 of 320 (78%) reported an increased caseload. 244 of 320 respondents (76%) felt management responses were supportive of employees; however, only 195 of 314 surgeons (62%) believed their safety was prioritized. While overall job satisfaction decreased from prepandemic levels, 147 of 247 respondents (60%) reported that at least 1 positive change in their work environment occurred due to coronavirus disease 2019 protocols, including the introduction of curbside care and remote meetings. Conclusions: The pandemic affected the working conditions of veterinary surgeons, increasing caseloads and stress. Respondents generally felt supported by their employers who implemented positive changes. Clinical Relevance: Work environment strategies identified as positive should be embraced as workplace stress and higher caseloads have impacted job satisfaction in veterinary surgery.

Editor’s note

Journal of Small Animal Practice · 2025-08-08

During the review process of “Use of the tibial tuberosity transposition technique with a slow and controlled translation device in dogs with patellar luxation: 14 cases (2021–2022)”, a suggestion was made to use the phrase mTTT when referring to the modification/technique using the Tibial Tuberosity Transposition Tool (TTTT) reported in the paper. This to indicate referring to a technique not a device, and to avoid confusion with both standard TTT and the tool described by Petazzoni et al, as TTTT. This recommendation did not originate from an attempt to rename an existing procedure – it stemmed from the goal to ensure clarification between previously described techniques and tools and that currently being described. The use of the TTTT during this surgery has been stated throughout the text. The authors made the change according to these suggestions. The use of acronyms was avoided in the title per Editor-in-Chief style preferences.

Editor’s note

Journal of Small Animal Practice · 2025-11-12

Following the receipt of this Letter to the Editor, we reached out to a statistician with the request to provide a second opinion review of the statistical analyses reported. This review indicated that the conclusions as stated in the paper did not match the statistical results reported. To address this, we have recommended retraction of the currently published version of the paper to allow the authors to revise the manuscript and submit an amended version for review.

Gender disparity in the impact of COVID‐19 on childcare responsibilities and professional standing among specialty small animal surgeons

Veterinary Surgery · 2025-03-31 · 1 citations

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on childcare responsibilities, mental health, and professional relationships of small animal surgeons. STUDY DESIGN: Voluntary, non-incentivized, anonymized 40-question internet survey deployed November 2021-February 2022. SAMPLE POPULATION: A total of 333 completed surveys from veterinary surgeons and residents in the USA. METHODS: Respondents provided information regarding demographics, family composition, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on childcare, impact of work-life balance changes on mental health, and interpersonal work relationships. The influence of variables such as age and gender on these data was analyzed. Associations between demographics and responses were analyzed (p < .05). RESULTS: Families were most commonly categorized as "children and a partner" (139/312, 44.6%), followed by "partner and no children" (100/312, 32%). A total of 46.5% (67/145) of respondents reported disruptions in school schedules affected their work schedule. Female respondents were most likely affected (OR = 2.2, p = .047). Respondents experiencing stress due to disruptions in work-life balance reported three or more feelings of mental distress and were more likely to be female (p < .001). Female gender was associated with a delay in promotion, adverse effects on relationships with colleagues, and negative effects on relationships with administration (p = .016, p < .001, p = .01). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic affected childcare responsibilities, professional standing, and the mental health of veterinary surgeons. Female gender was the most common variable associated with dysregulation of work-life balance. CLINICAL IMPACT: Identifying variables assists in creating strategies that improve job satisfaction and serve as a foundation for enhancing the profession's preparedness for future disruptions.

Presentation, diagnosis, and management of gossypibomas in veterinary specialty hospitals: A multi‐institutional study of 21 cases

Veterinary Surgery · 2025-07-18

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence, management, and outcomes of gossypibomas encountered in veterinary specialty hospitals. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional, retrospective study. ANIMALS: A total of 21 client-owned animals (18 dogs, 3 cats). METHODS: A spreadsheet was generated and distributed to veterinary specialty institutions for case recruitment and evaluation of animals with histopathologic diagnosis of a gossypiboma. RESULTS: A total of 15 of 21 animals were female, and 11/15 females had ovariohysterectomies resulting in their gossypiboma. Median time to representation after initial surgery was 13.5 days (IQR: 4-90). Duration of clinical signs prior to representation was a median time of 5 days (IQR: 1.5-11), and the clinical signs included pyrexia (10), abdominal discomfort (8), lethargy (7), and anorexia (7). The secondary surgery was performed on an urgent basis in 10/21 animals. Animals were hospitalized for a median time of 5 days (IQR: 1.5-11) postoperatively. Postoperative complications occurred in 4/21 animals and included sepsis (1), urinary and fecal incontinence (1), persistent anorexia (1), and aspiration pneumonia (1). A total of 19 of 21 animals survived to discharge. CONCLUSION: Majority of animals had intraabdominal gossypibomas and frequently presented for non-specific clinical signs. Surgical treatment was commonly performed within 1 month prior to re-presentation. Surgical management yielded a good long-term prognosis but may need to be performed urgently. Postoperative complications may be associated with the gossypiboma or the additional surgical intervention required for removal. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Gossypibomas are preventable postoperative complications that can result in high morbidity and mortality but carry a favorable long-term prognosis following surgical excision.

Editorial

Journal of Small Animal Practice · 2025-08-14

We are excited to announce the addition of new submission categories for JSAP: Perspective in Small Animal Practice and Surgical Short. With the newly added Perspective, we hope to create the opportunity to submit and publish communications that might not fit into existing categories and that could include the following: a discussion of controversial issues in small animal practice, an opinion on an emerging topic, clinical perspectives on the diagnosis or treatment of a particular disease or other similar topics. The length of the paper can be up to 5,000 words, include a non-structured abstract and the submission will be peer-reviewed (see also the Author Guidelines for further details). The Surgical Short is a companion to the Image in Small Animal Practice – and its aim is to submit and publish a new approach, modification or a novel finding that might not rise to the level of a full case report (along with a defined outcome and follow-up) but might still have merit for colleagues to know about. Surgical Shorts without an image are limited to 500 words in length with a surgical finding/method, a diagnosis and an outcome, with no references and no abstract. Surgical Shorts with an image should follow the guidelines of an Image in Small Animal Practice: these are limited to 250 words in length, with no references and no abstract. There should be a single image; though this can be composed of multiple panels (an image with two panels is ideal; however, a maximum of four panels is permitted). In line with expanding submission categories, we have opened a call for anyone interested in joining the editorial board as an associate editor (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/17485827/associate-editor-role) as we seek to expand our team. Similarly, we welcome anyone who would be interested in serving as an ad hoc reviewer to reach out as well. Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Longer preoperative fluid resuscitation decreased anesthetic fluid interventions in 297 dogs undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2024-10-25 · 1 citations

OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to (1) compare the impact of preoperative fluid resuscitation on anesthetic parameters and interventions and (2) assess the impact of preoperative resuscitation duration on the integrity of intestinal tissue and postoperative complications in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction. METHODS: Medical records from 1 academic hospital were reviewed for 297 client-owned dogs that underwent gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction surgery between May 2017 and August 2022. Data collected included the following: signalment, preoperative fluid resuscitation, surgical findings, anesthetic parameters and interventions, postoperative complications, and timing of the first meal. Variables for preoperative length of fluid resuscitation (hours), total preoperative fluid bolus (mL/kg), and preoperative fluid rate (mL/kg/d) were changed to categorical variables. Associations between anesthetic interventions, postoperative outcomes, preoperative fluid resuscitation length, and total fluid bolus were assessed with ordered logistic regression. RESULTS: Shorter preoperative fluid resuscitation length was associated with higher anesthetic fluid rates (P = .033) and fluid boluses performed (P = .023). Increased total volume of preoperative fluid boluses was associated with anesthetic synthetic colloid use (P = .028). There was insufficient evidence to claim an association between the impact of preoperative fluid resuscitation length and intestinal wall compromise (perforation, P = .912; enterectomy performed, P = .711). CONCLUSIONS: Shorter preoperative fluid resuscitation was associated with increased anesthetic fluid interventions but not the need for more complex surgeries. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Longer fluid resuscitation periods are associated with fewer anesthetic interventions in dogs.

Preoperative management and postoperative complications in 9 dogs undergoing surgical treatment of thymic-associated myasthenia gravis.

PubMed · 2024-07-01 · 1 citations

Objective: Thymoma-associated paraneoplastic syndromes in dogs and cats include myasthenia gravis, hypercalcemia, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, T-cell lymphocytosis, myocarditis, anemia, and polymyositis. Paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis (MG) is the most commonly reported paraneoplastic syndrome in dogs with thymic epithelial tumors. The objective of this study was to examine cases of canine thymic-associated MG treated surgically, with the specific objective of providing an updated clinical picture of the preoperative management, postoperative complications, and outcomes of these cases. Animals: Nine dogs with paraneoplastic MG underwent surgical removal of a thymic epithelial tumor. Procedure: Medical records of dogs with MG that received surgical treatment of a thymic epithelial tumor between January 1, 2012 and October 1, 2022 were obtained from 4 veterinary teaching hospitals. Descriptions of perioperative MG management, complications, and outcomes were reported. Results: Six of the 9 dogs received medical therapy for MG, with either a cholinesterase inhibitor (4 dogs) or a cholinesterase inhibitor and immunosuppressive agent (2 dogs), before surgery. The median duration of medical therapy for MG before surgery was 7.5 d (range: 2 to 60 d). Three of 9 dogs experienced immediate postoperative complications and were euthanized. Six of 9 dogs (66.6%) survived to discharge and 3 of 6 dogs that survived to discharge were alive at the time of writing. At the time of writing, 3 of 6 dogs had complete resolution of clinical signs attributable to MG and 2 of 6 had partial resolution. The median time from surgery to resolution of clinical signs of MG in these dogs was 63 d (range: 2 to 515 d). Conclusion: Dogs with thymic epithelial tumors and paraneoplastic MG are at a high risk for perioperative complications. Clinical relevance: The findings of this study corroborate previous literature stating that paraneoplastic MG is a poor prognostic indicator for dogs with thymic epithelial tumors, while also highlighting the variation in approaches to clinical management of thymic-associated MG in veterinary medicine and the lack of established protocols guiding perioperative management.

<i>In vitro</i> efficacy and <i>in vivo</i> toxicity and retention of targeted nanoformulated carboplatin in a sustained release carrier for treatment of osteosarcoma

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2024-05-05

Abstract Objective evaluate 1) if targeting of platinum magnetic nanoclusters will promote uptake in osteosarcoma cells in vitro , 2) targeting will improve uptake and delivery in murine OSA in vivo compared to free carboplatin, 3) incorporation into a sustained release carrier (SRC) will prolong local retention in vivo . Methods Complex stability and peptide loading was assessed. Drug release was tested at pH 7.4 and 5.5 and cellular uptake and cytotoxity determined for canine, human and mouse osteosarcoma. Subcutaneous murine osteosarcoma was induced and optimal dose and time until tumor growth were established. Tumor bearing mice were equally distributed between 8 treatment (0.5mg carboplatin/mouse) and 1 control group and sacrificed at 8 predetermined time points between 1 hour and 8 days. Blood, tumor site and organs were harvested for tissue ferron and platinum content analysis (ICP-MS). Results Carboplatin was preferentially released at pH5.5. Targeting increased cellular uptake for carboplatin 15.2-fold, and decreased IC 50 at 24h and 48h. At 2 weeks, a SC injection of 1-1.5 6 live cells/mouse reliably resulted in a palpable tumor. Plasma platinum peaked prior to 6 hours while plasma ferron peaked at 24-48 hours. Intratumoral delivery did not lead to a sustained local presence while local delivery in a SRC after surgery did. Conclusions Targeting of MNC-carboplatin is possible with an increased osteosarcoma cell uptake in vitro . In vivo metastatic uptake could not be assessed due to lack of metastases, but local delivery in a SRC yielded high local, and low systemic platinum concentrations in mice.