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Dr. Ilona Rodan discusses new handling guidelines that will make your practice more feline-friendly.

The first part of this session will discuss increased or atypical WBC morphology and describe clues to determine whether the process is leukemic or reactive in origin.

Mycobacteria do not stain with routine cytologic stains and can be difficult to visualize. However, careful examination of the cells and background material reveals the presence of distinctive negatively stained thin rod present both intra- and extracellularly.

Small lymphocytes are smaller in size than a neutrophil and have a round nuclei that takes up the majority of the cell. The nuclei contain densely aggregated chromatin forming large chromocenters (condensed chromatin).

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is an excellent adjunctive tool for evaluating internal organs. It is often diagnostic, requires little specialized equipment, and can rapidly provide useful information.

Normally, only a small amount (milliliters) of fluid are present in the thorax and abdomen. Effusions, defined as an accumulation of fluid in one or more body cavities result from multiple causes including increased hydrostatic pressure, decreased oncotic pressure, increased vascular permeability, decreased lymphatic drainage, infection, neoplastic infiltration, or rupture of organs or structures within the cavity.

Cytolopathology: the laboratory and microscopic evaluation of cells and fluids. Sources of cells include tissue aspirates, imprints, scrapings, body fluids, or lavage fluids.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been a mainstay of veterinary analgesia for many years. They are frequently used for the treatment of lameness, abdominal pain, inflammation, and fever.

Opioids are classically used for analgesia in cases of moderate to severe pain. They can have other uses and effects, however. Sedation, calming/euphoria, and chemical restraint can all be achieved through opioid use in animals.

Antimicrobial drugs are the most frequently prescribed drugs in veterinary medicine. They are also frequently used incorrectly, which can lead to treatment failure and the development of resistant bacteria.

This class of antibiotics includes the penicillins, the cephalosporins, and the carbapenems. They have excellent activity against most gram-positive bacteria, and very few associated side effects.

Treatment failures can occur due to the presence of resistant bacteria, such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus/pseudintermedius, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae, or vancomycin resistant enterococci

Clinically significant drug interactions are rarely reported in veterinary medicine, however the incidence is probably far greater than is reported.

The use of compounded products in veterinary medicine is a common practice due to the lack of approved veterinary drugs and convenient, palatable administration forms.

The term adverse drug reaction includes any undesired effect of a drug, including a lack of the desired effect. Adverse reactions to veterinary drugs can range from minor to severe and life-threatening.

Although newer therapies are being developed in humans that allow a certain targeting specificity, immunosuppressive therapy in dogs and cats is largely based on the use chemotherapeutic drugs.

Feline asthma consists of an inflammatory disorder of the lower respiratory system of cats that results in bronchoconstriction and limited airflow to the lungs.

For many years, short and long-term therapy of epileptic disorders in dogs and cats has been based on the use of benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam), barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital) and bromide, either individually or with different combinations.

Polypharmacy is increasingly common in the prevention and treatment of diseases in animals. Drug-drug interactions represent one common event associated with multidrug therapy that may interfere with optimal clinical outcome.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) refers to specific attempts to revive patients who have suffered a cardiac or respiratory arrest, or who otherwise have experienced a severe drop in perfusion pressure (e.g. due to pulseless ventricular tachycardia).

Central venous catheters are catheters that are inserted so that the tip of the catheter rests within a central vein, usually the cranial or caudal vena cava. These catheters are usually longer catheters, with a larger gauge, and may be inserted either peripherally or centrally.

Shock defines a state of inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues of the body. This can result from decreased tissue perfusion, or from inadequate blood oxygen content.

The purpose of close physiologic monitoring of critically ill patients is to alert clinicians and nurses to acute changes in patient status. In addition, the monitoring of various parameters can provide a means to assess patient responses to specific therapeutic interventions.

The use of intravenous fluids in the emergency room is essential to the proper resuscitation and support of the critically ill patient. Knowledge of the different types and qualities of the available intravenous fluids will allow clinicians to tailor choices to individual patients.

Triage refers to a systematic evaluation of body systems, and is designed to facilitate identification of the most life-threatening problems first. In the emergency room, or even in the waiting room, patients with life-threatening abnormalities require timely intervention, and may trump other less critical patients for veterinary attention.

Fluids are divided into two main groups: crystalloids and colloids. Crystalloids contain solutes (variable amounts of electrolytes), water and may contain dextrose.

Decontamination involves emptying the GI tract to reduce toxin exposure or increase elimination. This is the most important way to treat a potential toxicity.

Shock is often defined as oxygen delivery to the tissue that is insufficient to meet tissue requirements. This may be due to altered hemodynamics, such that the circulatory system is unable to provide adequate pressure to drive perfusion.