Table of Contents and Abstracts

Adenoviral hemorrhagic disease (AHD), caused by deer atadenovirus A (OdAdV-1), affects captive and free-ranging cervids across North America. Here we present a case of AHD in a 6-month-old female elk calf from a farm in Alberta. Histopathology revealed multisystemic vasculitis with endothelial intranuclear inclusion bodies, pulmonary hemorrhage, and small intestinal hemorrhage characteristic of the acute systemic form of AHD. Immunohistochemistry was positive for OdAdV-1, confirming the diagnosis. Whole-genome sequencing of the virus was conducted for phylogenetic comparison. This is the 1st reported case of AHD in a farmed elk in Canada and the 1st reported case in an elk in Alberta.

Key clinical message:
Adenoviral hemorrhagic disease (AHD) is an emerging disease that should be investigated as a top differential when diagnosticians and veterinarians encounter young cervids found dead with pulmonary edema or hemorrhage and/or hemorrhagic enteropathy.

A 13-year-old, intact male mixed-breed dog was referred to our clinic for lethargy and asthenia following an episode of gastroenteritis. As an incidental finding during abdominal ultrasound, a mass on the right spermatic cord was seen. Cytology of the mass revealed a monomorphic population of large, round cells with a lymphoid appearance. A bilateral orchiectomy was conducted, and histopathology revealed the presence of a B-cell lymphoma in the right spermatic cord. Based on clinical staging, which showed no involvement of other sites, no additional treatment was administered. Recheck evaluations were scheduled for every 3 mo thereafter. Five months after surgery, the dog developed left central vestibular syndrome with a paradoxical right-sided head tilt. An MRI of the brain showed multifocal lesions and, due to a rapidly worsening clinical condition, the dog was humanely euthanized. The histopathology of the brain lesions was consistent with B-cell lymphoma.

Key clinical message:
This is the first report of a primary spermatic cord lymphoma relapsing to the brain in a dog. Although rare, spermatic cord tumors should be included among the differential diagnoses for masses arising from the spermatic cord. If lymphoma is diagnosed, location to other sites, especially to the central nervous system, should be considered.

A 10-year-old spayed female standard poodle was admitted for marked cervical pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested cervical venous sinus thrombi. An excellent clinical response to clopidogrel and warfarin combination was achieved. Repeat MRI showed partial resolution of the thrombosis. The etiology of the thrombosis is suspected to be due to the previous long-term, chronic use of corticosteroids. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report with follow-up imaging of canine venous sinus thrombosis. This clinical case report may help practitioners recognize this condition as a possible differential diagnosis for cervical pain, and it provides important guidelines in the prognosis. This case report highlights the use of anticoagulant therapy for 14 wk leading to complete resolution of clinical signs and to partial resolution of the thrombus 5 wk into the treatment, based on comparative MRI.

Key clinical message:
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of suspected multiple cervical venous sinus thrombi that includes comparative imaging into the course of therapy. The aim of this report is to provide additional information for future guidance on the duration of venous sinus thrombosis therapy.

A 10-month-old unilaterally cryptorchid male labradoodle dog was presented to a specialty surgery referral center with a reported history of persistent anal sac leakage that was unresponsive to conservative management. The dog underwent castration and left anal sacculectomy but was witnessed urinating from the anus postoperatively. A contrast urethrogram was performed, and a urethrorectal fistula located between the distal portion of the pelvic urethra and the caudal aspect of the rectum was diagnosed. One week later, the dog underwent ligation and transection of the fistula. Surgery was successful and the dog recovered unremarkably with complete resolution of clinical signs. A contrast urethrogram 1 mo after surgery confirmed the successful ligation and transection of the fistula.

Key clinical message:
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical report of urethrorectal fistula ligation and transection in a dog with unilateral abdominal cryptorchidism and misdiagnosed anal sac disease. Our findings underscore the importance of a thorough physical examination, history taking, and clinical workup for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of multiple congenital abnormalities.

A 6-year-old neutered male bloodhound dog was presented for surgical evaluation of an intraoral hard palate mass noted during a routine dental cleaning performed by the primary veterinarian. Computed tomography (CT) of the skull revealed a well-defined, multilobular, mineralized mass with a coarse, granular appearance, centered along the palatomaxillary suture extending into both the nasal and oral cavities. Bilateral caudal maxillectomy was performed for curative-intent resection of the tumor. The histopathology of the mass was consistent with a completely excised palatomaxillary multilobular tumor of bone (MLTB). This is apparently the 1st successful report of surgical excision of an MLTB associated with the palatomaxillary suture line.

Key clinical message:
Our findings emphasized that MLTB should be considered as a differential diagnosis for masses arising in the location of cranial sutures, and a definitive diagnosis can be made postoperatively with histopathology of the mass.

Objective
To compare PCR and culture results for the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi).

Animals
Respiratory tract samples (N = 158) from horses being tested for S. equi.

Procedure
Bacterial culture was carried out on samples from which S. equi was detected by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results
S. equi was isolated from 12 (7.6%) samples: 4/9 (44%) samples when the PCR cycle threshold (C_T) was ≤ 30, 7/30 (23%) when the C_T was 30.1 to 35, and 1/119 (0.8%) when the C_T was 35.1 to 40. The highest C_T sample from a sample that yielded a positive culture was 36.9. The optimal Youden’s J value was at a C_T of 34.2, the same value as determined by number needed to misdiagnose when the cost of a false negative is deemed to be either 5 or 10 × that of a false positive.

Conclusions
Viable S. equi was only detected in a minority of quantitative PCR (qPCR) positive samples. A qPCR C_T of 34.2 was a reasonable breakpoint for likelihood of the presence of culturable S. equi.

Clinical relevance
Evaluation of C_T values may be useful as a proxy to indicate the likelihood of cultivable S. equi being present and could be useful as part of risk assessments.

Objective
To compare the capacity of a simplified calf health scoring chart (SIM score) with the University of Wisconsin’s calf health scoring chart (WIN score) for the diagnosis of calf diarrhea and calf respiratory disease (RD).

Animals and procedures
Holstein calves (N = 222) were clinically evaluated for diarrhea and RD diagnosis using the WIN and SIM scores. The WIN score was based on fecal consistency for diagnosis of diarrhea (0 = feces of normal consistency to 3 = watery feces; score ≥ 2 = positive diagnosis); and on nasal discharge, ocular discharge, coughing, ear position, and rectal temperature for diagnosis of RD (each clinical sign receives a score of 0 to 3; aggregate score ≥ 5 = positive diagnosis). The SIM score was based on a hide cleanliness score for diagnosis of diarrhea [0 = negative (calf was clean) and 1 = positive (tail head region, thighs, and/or legs were soiled)]; and on nasal discharge, ocular discharge, coughing, and ear position for diagnosis of RD (rectal temperature measurement was not required and each clinical sign had 2 levels of severity; aggregate score ≥ 5 = positive diagnosis).

Results
In the RD diagnosis, the SIM score had a sensitivity of 88.24%, a specificity of 95.01%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.56%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.13%. In the diarrhea diagnosis, the SIM score had a sensitivity of 94.62%, a specificity of 49.64%, a PPV of 18.22%, and an NPV of 98.73%.

Conclusion
Compared with the WIN score, the SIM score is a reliable test for diagnosing RD but not for diagnosing diarrhea.

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial population and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from feline urine from 2012 to 2018 in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

Animals and procedure
IDEXX Reference Laboratories provided data from urine samples submitted from Alberta and British Columbia for aerobic culture and susceptibility testing from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. The analysis included 8084 bacterial isolates from 7522 cystocentesis samples, with at least 1000 colony-forming units per mL.

Results
Escherichia coli, Enterococcus species, and Staphylococcus species were the most commonly isolated bacteria, at 60.0%, 22.7%, and 11.8%, respectively. The proportions did not vary significantly throughout the study period or between British Columbia and Alberta. Apart from an increase in the resistance of Staphylococcus species to clindamycin, there was minimal change in the antimicrobial susceptibility of the 3 most commonly isolated bacteria over the study period. More than 85% of Gram-positive organisms were susceptible to amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid, and > 85% of Gram-negative organisms were susceptible to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
Treatment with amoxicillin, with or without clavulanic acid, may be considered for bacterial feline lower urinary tract disease in Alberta and British Columbia while awaiting culture results.

Objective
To determine if triclosan-impregnated suture decreases surgical site infection rates after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs.

Sample population
There were 116 dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament disease presenting for treatment with TPLO.

Procedures
Written consent was obtained by all clients in order to be included in this study. Dogs were randomly assigned a suture type immediately before the start of anesthesia. Infection rates were compared between the suture groups, as were the gender, duration of anesthesia, duration of surgery, age of dog, weight, length of incision, and stifle side. Direct examination by a veterinarian was conducted at 24 h, 10 to 14 d, and 8 to 12 wk after surgery. If the dogs did not return for direct examination, owners were contacted by a veterinarian and phone interviews were conducted.

Results
Overall, 12.9% of the incisions were diagnosed with a surgical site infection (SSI). The SSI rate for dogs that received the triclosan suture was 5.35% (3/56), and the rate for dogs that received the regular suture was 19.64% (11/56), with P = 0.016. The duration of anesthesia, duration of surgery, age, weight, length of incision, and right versus left stifle did not show a significant difference in infection rates. The suture type did have a significant effect, and triclosan-impregnated suture had a decreased infection rate when compared to regular suture. Gender also had a significant effect, with P = 0.032.

Conclusion
Triclosan-impregnated suture decreased SSI when used for closure in dogs undergoing TPLO. Triclosan-impregnated suture may be considered a material of choice to close surgical wounds at risk of SSI when implants are used.

Objective
To measure associations between self-care activities and depression, anxiety, and stress of preclinical veterinary students during a semester.

Procedure
Preclinical veterinary students at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were recruited voluntarily. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores (DASS-21) were measured, and a self-care questionnaire was administered at the beginning and end of the semester.

Results
Depression, anxiety, and stress scores did not change during the fall semester (P = 1.000). At the beginning of the semester, students who spent 15 to 30 min (P = 0.042) or 30 to 60 min (P = 0.013) outside daily had lower anxiety scores compared to those who spent < 15 min outside daily; students who spent > 2 h daily on social media had higher stress scores than students who spent < 60 min (P = 0.024); and students who slept for 6 to 8 h daily had lower stress scores than students who slept < 6 h (P = 0.015). At the end of the semester, students who “often” felt that self-care techniques managed their stress had lower depression (P = 0.003) and anxiety (P = 0.011) scores than those who “rarely” did; students who spent 30 to 60 min outside daily had lower depression scores than those who spent < 15 min (P = 0.031); students who spent 15 to 30 min (P = 0.002) or 30 to 60 min (P = 0.009) outside daily had lower stress scores than those who spent < 15 min; and students who exercised 30 to 60 min daily had lower stress scores than those who exercised < 15 min (P = 0.047).

Conclusion
Self-care activities that were associated with lower depression, anxiety, or stress scores at the beginning or end of the semester included spending at least 15 min daily outside or exercising; spending < 30 min on social media daily; and sleeping 6 to 8 h daily. These practices warrant further investigation.

Clinical relevance
Encouraging certain self-care practices among preclinical veterinary students has the potential to enhance their mental health and should be considered part of a veterinary school curriculum.

Background
Despite substantial ramifications of insufficient sleep on mental and physical health and general well-being, many individuals are unaware of what constitutes sufficient sleep, or of the short- and long-term extent of sleep deficiency effects, including those that may not be perceived as fatigue.

Objectives and procedures
This review describes the physiology of sleep, defines healthy standards, reviews the pathophysiology and health hazards of acute and chronic sleep insufficiency, and offers concepts for improving individual sleep hygiene. Online databases were searched to extract literature pertaining to sleep, sleep insufficiency, fatigue, and health, with emphasis on literature published in the preceding 5 years.

Results
The detrimental effects of acute and chronic sleep loss vary in their range and impact. Individuals often obtain a substandard quantity of sleep, a problem that is poorly recognized by individuals and society. This lack of recognition perpetuates a culture in which sleep insufficiency is accepted, resulting in serious and substantial negative impacts on mental and physical health.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
Sleep management is one of the most fundamental and changeable aspects of personal health. Improving awareness of the important physiological roles of sleep, healthy sleep habits, and the consequence of insufficient sleep is essential in promoting general well-being and mental and physical health.

Two 3-week-old goat kids from a herd of 50 to 60 goats were examined by a veterinarian. The goats were in lateral recumbency with an inability to rise. Unilateral cranial nerve deficiencies included cervical rotation, nystagmus, ptosis, facial paralysis, and absence of palpebral reflex. One of the 2 kids had a fever. The kids died and necropsy examinations were performed. Histopathology findings were highly suggestive of Listeria monocytogenes infection, which was confirmed by bacterial culture. This case suggests that listeriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for goats with neurological signs even if they are not fed silage or haylage and are kept in a clean barn.

Objective
The overall aim of this project was to create educational materials to support beef veterinarians and cow-calf producers in maximizing appropriate uptake of vaccine use in western Canada. The specific objective of the surveys reported here was to document current vaccine use by producers and vaccination recommendations by veterinarians and other industry stakeholders.

Population
Cow-calf producers and veterinarians involved in the western Canadian beef cow-calf sector.

Results
Surveys of western Canadian cow-calf producers and veterinarians were conducted in the fall of 2021 regarding current vaccine usage and recommendations, respectively. Uptake of beef cow-calf vaccines deemed “core” vaccines by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) varied across cow-calf producers, and recommendations varied across veterinarians responding to the survey. Thirty members of the project working group, consisting of cow-calf producers, veterinarians, academics, and vaccine manufacturers, were also surveyed regarding vaccine recommendations. The recommendations of the working group aligned with AABP recommendations for core and risk-based vaccines.

Conclusions
Uptake of core beef vaccines was not complete across the producers surveyed. Therefore, education of beef cow-calf producers regarding the importance of core vaccines is required.

Clinical relevance
Findings from these surveys will guide creation of educational materials to promote the use of appropriate beef cow-calf vaccines.