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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.

Hemostasis is the physiologic process whereby bleeding is halted. The primary functions of the hemostatic system are to: 1) maintain blood in fluid state while in the vessels; 2) arrest bleeding at the site of injury and 3) remove the clot once healing is complete.

Unfortunately, transfusion medicine tends to be a right now type of problem the patient is unable to wait while blood or blood products are ordered and shipped to the practice

At birth, the autonomic nervous system and the baroreceptor reflexes are immature, with the ANS maturing by day 10 and the baroreceptor system maturing by 4 weeks.

The principles surrounding the initial approach to the patient with abdominal trauma are similar to those in a patient that has sustained any form of trauma. Rapid assessment of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems should be performed, and the presence of shock should be identified.

Feline hepatic lipidosis (HL, fatty liver disease) is the most commonly encountered liver disease in cats, and results from accumulation of fat (triglyceride) within the majority of hepatocytes.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal signs in cats. The exact pathogenesis is thought to be multifactorial.

The goal of this seminar is to highlight common and uncommon causes of feline facial disorders via clinical presentation or client complaint. Two diseases, idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persians and pemphigus, will be discussed in more detail.

Cats have compound hair follicles. In general, there is a cluster of two to five primary hairs surrounded by groups of smaller secondary hairs. One primary hair is the largest (central) surrounded by groups of small primary hairs (lateral primary hairs).

Analysis of urolith composition in cats at veterinary urolith centers in North America has demonstrated a progressive decline in the percentage of struvite uroliths since 1970, while at the same time recording a progressive increase in percentage of calcium oxalate uroliths recovered from the urinary tract of cats.

Acute onset of sneezing and nasal discharge are common with upper respiratory infections (particularly in young cats or those in multi-cat environments), nasal foreign bodies, nasal trauma, and rarely coagulopathies. Nasal foreign body is discussed later in the article.

The importance of a thorough history is common knowledge. It is difficult to argue the usefulness of pre-printed history questionnaires when the diagnosis is obvious (e.g. fleas in your face) at the time of first presentation.

The veterinary clinic and exposure to fungal spores

As cats age, they are predisposed to skin diseases and changes in the hair coat as a result of age and development of other medical problems. This seminar will discuss the most common and noteworthy skin diseases of older cats.

A recent multi-center study investigating the causes of hypersensitivity dermatitis (HD) in cats has revealed some interesting findings that are clinically useful.

Most chronic vomiting and chronic diarrhea in cats originate in the small bowel.

Look for an underlying disease before diagnosing primary hypertension.

The diabetic cat usually has other needs that must be addressed before diabetic regulation can be achieved.

The Urgency Principle is the basis for our ability to do a one month drug trial with hypoglycemic agents and the basis for my approach to gradual regulation.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in the cat. Since being first recognized in 1977, the incidence has increased steadily.

It is the rare adult who does not have an emotional response to thoughts of dying. We are all inherently aware of our mortality and to that of those around us.

Constipation is defined as the infrequent or difficult evacuation of stool. It is a common problem in cats that may be acute or chronic and does not inherently imply a loss of colonic function.

Cats are obligate carnivores. This statement is news to no one, and yet we often dont recognize the importance of that statement or feed them accordingly.

Diarrhea is one of the most common concerns of owners with young kittens or teen-aged cats. Often times, diarrhea in kittens can be attributed to dietary changes, parasites or infectious diseases, and these should be the initial focus of any investigation in these young cats.

Like the disease in humans, diabetes in cats is a multi-factorial process combining genetic factors with environmental ones. However, there are two factors that likely have a crucial role in determining whether or not diabetes develops, and if diabetes does occur, whether or not it is insulin dependent.

Lower urinary tract diseases of cats are a common, and sometimes frustrating, group of clinical problems that practitioners must deal with.

Feline pancreatitis is a very difficult disease to definitively diagnose (especially chronic cases or in cats that do not have persistent signs) and treatment remains symptomatic and supportive.