Align-ju SCIENCE SHORTS
Effect of hospital-induced stress on biochemical parameters and behaviour in cats
USER-ALT Kanoklada Koomgun and others, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Stress experienced when visiting veterinary clinics is known to influence the physiological responses and behaviour of cats. These changes may affect biochemical parameters such as blood glucose levels, which are important in the diagnosis of many disease states. The authors investigated the blood glucose and serum cortisol, thyroxine and bile acid concentrations in healthy cats when at home and during hospitalisation. Their findings confirm that stress during hospital visits results in significant changes in serum biochemistry values in cats. Blood glucose and serum cortisol concentrations were elevated and serum bile acid levels were reduced. They advise that healthy cats that display stress-induced hyperglycaemia should be acclimatised for at least 6 hours before they are re-evaluated.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery https:// doi. org / 10.1177 / 1098612X251320254
Use of nutrient-enriched water to promote greater water intake in dehydrated cats
USER-ALT Maria Peralta and others, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Dehydration is common in cats that have reduced water intake or increased losses due to diarrhoea, vomiting or excessive urine production. Administration of intravenous or subcutaneous fluids can help in managing the patient but there is a risk of complications associated with indwelling catheters. The authors investigated the use of flavoured and nutrient-enriched water to encourage dehydrated cats to drink more water. Their findings show that cats voluntarily accepted the nutrient-enriched water and drank greater quantities than those given ad libitum fresh water. In the treatment group, water intake exceeded the commonly prescribed feline subcutaneous fluid dose of 20 ml / kg / day. Both clinical hydration measures and owner perception of the cat ' s quality of life improved over the course of treatment.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery https:// doi. org / 10.1177 / 1098612X251334279
Effect of skin preparation and drape lift on post-surgical infection risk
USER-ALT James Gant and others, Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, Akron, USA
Inadequate site preparation and drape lift, in which an adhesive surgical drape may become elevated or detached from the skin during an operation, are thought to be significant risk factors in the development of surgical site infections( SSIs). The authors investigated the effects on the incidence of SSIs of either 2 % chlorhexidine and 70 % isopropyl alcohol or 0.7 % iodophor and 74 % isopropyl alcohol for skin preparation, and an iodophor-impregnated drape. They collected data from 653 retrospective and 435 prospective surgery cases in cats and dogs. Their analysis suggests that preparation with isopropyl alcohol and the use of iodophor-impregnated drapes reduced the risk of SSIs. Drape lift, increased patient bodyweight and the use of glutaraldehyde for instrument sterilisation all increased the infection risk.
Veterinary Surgery https:// doi. org / 10.1111 / vsu. 14198
Volume 40( 4) • August 2025
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