Recognizing Futile Care in Veterinary Medicine

Today's Vet Pract. Jan-Feb 2023;13(1):8-13. 4 Refs

Kate Boatright¹

¹ Butler Veterinary Associates and Emergency Center, Butler, PA 16001, USA.

Author Abstract

"Futile care" is becoming more well-known in the veterinary profession. Having an approach to client conversations about the difference between palliative care and futile care can mean the difference between suffering and letting go in dignity.

Article Tools:

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Surgical Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Cats.
The aim of the present review is to describe in detail the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract in cats, highlighting the anatomical regions of significant importance in different surgical procedures.

Wavy changes in the whiskers of domestic cats are correlated with feline leukemia virus infection.
The prevalence of wavy whiskers (WW) was significantly correlated with FeLV antigen positivity in the blood. Of 56 cases with WW, 50 (89.3%) were serologically positive for FeLV. The significant association between WW and serological FeLV positivity was also confirmed by multivariate analysis. In WW, narrowing, degeneration, and tearing of the hair medulla were observed. Mild infiltration of mononuclear cells in the tissues, but no degeneration or necrosis, was found. By immunohistochemistry, FeLV antigens (p27, gp70, and p15E) were observed in various epithelial cells including the sinus hair follicular epithelium of the whisker.

Spotting the Pattern: A Review on White Coat Color in the Domestic Horse.
only two genetic markers are used to determine a horse's base coat color, whereas over 50 genetic variations have been discovered to cause white patterning in horses. Some of these white-causing mutations are benign and beautiful, while others have a notable impact on horse health. In this review, we explore, in detail, the etiology of white spotting and its overall effect on the domestic horse to Spot the Pattern of these beautiful (and sometimes dangerous) white mutations.

'Brave Enough': A Qualitative Study of Veterinary Decisions to Withhold or Delay Antimicrobial Treatment in Pets.
The use of antimicrobials by companion animal veterinarians in the absence of a clear indication is often powerfully driven by behavioural beliefs, chiefly, fears of clinical deterioration and of failing to meet client expectations.

Top Tips for Managing Home and Kennel Infestations With Brown Dog Ticks
Thorough cleaning of the environment to remove tick biomass followed by premise treatment by an experienced exterminator can hasten elimination of ticks. Brown dog ticks are long-lived off the host and may continue to emerge from the structure for many months; a long-term approach is needed to eliminate the population.