Veterinary Medicine - February 2008 - (Page 78) Research Updates Comparing temperature measurement devices in dogs I n this prospective study, eight research dogs were used to compare temperature assessments made with a predictive rectal thermometer (the early rate of temperature change mathematically predicts the final temperature), an infrared auricular thermometer, and a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip. Core body temperature measured by a thermistor-tipped pulmonary artery catheter was used as a baseline or standard. For each dog, temperature was measured during four study periods over three days. Hypothermia was induced by anesthesia, and hyperthermia was induced by a low dose of endotoxin. When possible, the accuracy of the thermometer devices was evaluated by in vitro testing. Near-simultaneous duplicate measurements were recorded from the four devices during hypothermia, euthermia, and hyperthermia. The results revealed that rectal temperature readings were closest in agreement with core body temperature measurements; the other devices generally underestimated the core body temperature. Variability between successive readings of the same device was greatest for the auricular thermometer and least for the intravascular catheter. Problems encountered with the auricular thermometer included positioning, delay in reading, and patient discomfort. The authors concluded that rectal thermometry was reliable and provided the most accurate assessment of core body temperature. COMMENTARY United States and of canine subcutaneous microchip temperature sensors in Europe and Asia. Theoretically, the speed of measurement by these two devices could overshadow their increased cost and their application requirements, especially when compared with rectal thermometry in fractious or diseased patients. However, the results of this study in inactive dogs supports the premise that predictive rectal thermometers are more useful than these technically advanced devices. It would be interesting to note if these data are supported by future studies involving more patients in a clinical setting. Greer RJ, Cohn LA, Dodam JR, et al. Comparison of three methods of temperature measurement in hypothermic, euthermic, and hyperthermic dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007;230(12):1841-1848. Traditionally, practitioners have relied on rectal thermometers to determine core body temperature. Advances in medical technology have led to the marketing of infrared auricular thermometers in the How well does abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation guide surgeons? I n this retrospective study of 100 cases from a veterinary college, preoperative abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy findings were reviewed to determine agreement and discrepancy rates and identify lesions likely to be missed by ultrasonography. Imaging was performed by one of three experienced radiologists or by residents working under their direct supervision. Nineteen cats and 81 dogs were included in the study, 47 of which were medium-sized dogs (10 to 27 kg). The results of the imaging and the surgery were classified according to anatomical location and gross pathologic features. Additionally, surgical findings were categorized as primary (main lesion) or secondary (other related) lesions. The most common primary surgical findings were splenic or liver masses (30 cases), peritonitis (28 cases), and intestinal obstruction (14 cases). The sensitivities of ultrasonography for detecting these conditions were 63%, 89%, and 64%. No apparent relationship was detected between patient body size and the sensitivity of ultrasonography. A major discrepancy was observed between ultrasonography and identification of the main surgical lesion in 25% of the cases. Gastrointestinal ulcerations, perforations, and ruptures were the surgical findings most fre- quently missed by preoperative imaging. There was also a trend for organomegaly to be missed by ultrasonography. In 64% of the cases, the imaging and surgical reports agreed. The authors concluded that preoperative ultrasonography was useful. COMMENTARY Abdominal ultrasonography is a widely used noninvasive diagnostic modality, especially in ill animals requiring preoperative evaluation. The authors cite various studies in animals that have documented the sensitivity of ultrasonography in evaluating specific conditions (carcinomatosis and hepatobiliary disease) or presenting clinical signs such as hemoperitoneum after blunt trauma. These clinicians and residents had a success rate of either 64% (agreement with surgeons) or 75% (identification of primary lesion). It is worthwhile to note that body size did not affect the sensitivity of ultrasonography. However, morbid conditions affecting the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract were missed. Pastore GE, Lamb CR, Lipscomb V. Comparison of the results of abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy in the dog and cat. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2007;43(5):264-269. 78 February 2008 VETERINARY MEDICINE
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.