scholarly journals Do dogs with non-surgically managed cranial cruciate ligament disease have better outcomes with rehabilitation?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Merickel ◽  
Wanda Gordon-Evans

PICO question In dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease treated non-surgically with rehabilitation, is the outcome inferior/equivalent/superior as measured by owner and/or veterinarian evaluation to dogs treated non-surgically without rehabilitation?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Four papers were critically appraised. One paper reviewed was a prospective, randomised clinical trial. The remaining three papers were retrospective cohort studies Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported There are no studies available that directly compare dogs managed non-surgically with and without rehabilitation following cranial cruciate ligament injury. In one study, 66% of dogs treated non-surgically with rehabilitation are reported to have successful outcomes 1 year following initiation of treatment. For dogs managed non-surgically without rehabilitation, successful outcomes varied from 19%–90% of cases among several retrospective studies Conclusion There is evidence suggesting the addition of rehabilitation to conservative therapy is beneficial, but based on the current literature, it is impossible to say whether it is superior to conservative treatment without rehabilitation   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafara Mapuvire

PICO question In dogs weighing under 15 kg with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease, does tibial tuberosity advancement lead to better long-term functional outcomes than lateral fabellar suture?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed There were no papers that answered the PICO question Strength of evidence Zero Outcomes reported Between TTA and LFS none of the techniques was shown to provide better long-term functional outcomes than the other in dogs weighing less than 15 kg Conclusion Given the absence of evidence answering the PICO question, choice and recommendation of procedure between TTA and LFS in dogs weighing under 15 kg should be guided by what the surgeon deems to be in the best interest of the patient   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Garland

PICO question In adult dogs with naturally occurring medial meniscal tears concurrent to cranial cruciate ligament disease does meniscal release confer the same benefits in lameness resolution as meniscectomy?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed A single prospective cross-sectional study was reviewed, that fulfilled the criteria Strength of evidence None Outcomes reported Meniscal release, meniscectomy (partial, hemi- or complete), or the two combined performed for concurrent medial meniscal pathology at time of surgery for naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture resulted in an acceptable long-term outcome. Difference in outcome between the techniques was not reported Conclusion There is no evidence that meniscal release provides an equal or superior treatment option for medial meniscal injury treated at the time of surgery for CCL rupture when compared to meniscectomy. The study critically reviewed performed meniscal release via radial transection through the meniscotibial ligament, and therefore does not represent mid-body abaxial radial release. Neither is this summary appropriate for considering prophylactic meniscal release of the normal meniscus. In addition, the surgical treatments for cranial cruciate ligament rupture were either ‘Tightrope’ or tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedures. Further studies are required to compare clinical outcome between meniscal release or meniscectomy for treatment of concurrent meniscal tears   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadira Gordon

PICO question Is soybean oil-based intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) therapy more effective than olive oil-based (ClinOleic IVLE therapy) for reducing time to recovery in cats with permethrin toxicosis?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Five case reports and one randomised clinical trial Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported Soybean oil-based and ClinOleic IVLE therapies can be used safely as adjuvant treatments to reduce time to recovery in cats with permethrin intoxication. However, the evidence collected suggests that soybean oil-based IVLE therapy is better in reducing the recovery time after permethrin toxicosis as compared to ClinOleic IVLE therapy Conclusion The overall findings showed that the average recovery time after soybean oil-based IVLE therapy across patients with permethrin intoxication was 8.5 hours and the average time to recovery after olive oil-based emulsions (ClinOleic therapy) was 39 hours. This may suggest that soybean oil-based formulations are a better option for reducing the recovery time in cats after permethrin toxicity. Dermal decontamination, supportive care, muscle relaxers, and anticonvulsant drugs are examples of recommended treatments before the administration of any intralipid therapies and must be used based on the clinical signs of each patient   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Barter

PICO question In mares with placentitis does treatment with long-term antibiotics result in improved foal viability when compared to repeated short courses of 7 to 10 days?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed The literature search identified six publications that included length of antibiotic treatment and foetal outcome. The publications consisted of four non-randomised non-blinded controlled trials and two randomised non-blinded controlled trials Strength of evidence Collectively there was weak evidence to support either an intermittent or continuous antibiotic protocol in the treatment of placentitis in mares Outcomes reported The literature involved experimental induction of ascending placentitis with foal survival or viability as the outcome Conclusion Further research is required into the diagnosis of placentitis, length of treatment and choice of antibiotic/s to penetrate the uterus in a diseased state   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision-making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Leather ◽  
Sarah Smith

PICO question In horses with severe equine asthma syndrome, is inhaled immunotherapy compared to environmental reduction of allergen exposure more effective in disease modification?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed 12 papers were critically reviewed. Nine clinical trials; one crossover study; one split-plot design study; and one cross-sectional study Strength of evidence Low Outcomes reported Four studies found inhaled immunotherapy to improve the clinical signs associated with equine asthma and the lung function of horses with asthma. Three papers found environmental modification by improved lung function and the clinical signs associated with equine asthma but two studies provide moderate evidence that environmental management alone is insufficient to permanently cure asthma Conclusion There is a low level of evidence to support the use of inhaled immunotherapy as a treatment for equine asthma   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Kenny

PICO question In Greyhounds (and Sighthounds) with recurring pedal corns, is surgical excision in comparison to corn extirpation more effective at resolving lameness?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Three case series were included, all three were retrospective, one included a prospective component. There was one opinion-based narrative review and one opinion-based article. Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported Extirpation allows only a short palliation of lameness and repeated treatment is required at variable intervals. Surgical excision may provide good rates of short-term resolution however, in the long-term recurrence rates are still moderate. It should also be born in mind that further corns may develop in different digits. Conclusion In Greyhounds (and Sighthounds) with recurring pedal corns, surgical excision of the corn is more likely to provide long-term resolution of lameness in comparison to extirpation. However, the current level of evidence on this topic is weak.   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision-making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Safrany ◽  
Sophie Adamantos

PICO question In transfusion-naïve cats receiving a type specific blood transfusion is cross-matched blood (major and minor) associated with an increased haematocrit development and reduction in acute transfusion reactions when compared with those receiving non-crossmatched blood?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Ten papers were critically reviewed. There were four retrospective case series, three prospective cross-sectional surveys, a retrospective cohort study, a prospective case series and a prospective randomised control trial. Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported It would appear that in the United Kingdom the incidence of non-AB transfusion reactions is low.  A single study suggests that cross-matching may result in a greater improvement in haematocrit, but this is unlikely to be clinically significant. There is evidence to support the hypothesis that non-AB antigens (for example the Mik antigen) differ with geographic distribution. Conclusion Based on the information available it is it is challenging to establish a meaningful clinical conclusion on which to base a recommendation.   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Norell Candetoft

PICO question What is the incidence of postoperative uterine pathology in ovariectomised bitches compared to ovariohysterectomised bitches?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Incidence The number and type of study designs reviewed Three retrospective case series Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported None of the reviewed case series found any uterine pathology for ovariectomised bitches in the long-term follow-up of several years, although none of the studies performed a proper gynaecological examination to confirm a lack of pathology Conclusion With the limited evidence available, it appears that leaving the uterus when gonadectomising bitches does not seem to have a high risk for developing pathology as long as the ovaries are completely removed.   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision-making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Fung Wong ◽  
Merran Govendir

PICO question Does use of dog-appeasing pheromone reduce the frequency and/or severity of non-specific stress behaviours associated with anxiety in domestic dogs, older than 6 months, when compared with no treatment?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Eight controlled trials were appraised. Four were randomised and four were either non-randomised or did not clearly describe the method of allocating subjects into treatment groups. Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported There was no evidence that any dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) formulation (spray, diffuser, or collar) was superior. There was moderate evidence that DAP could reduce some behavioural manifestations of fear and/or anxiety stemming from thunderstorm noise and weak evidence that it could ameliorate some non-specific stress behaviours in hospitalised patients. In shelter dogs, there was mild evidence that DAP could reduce barking intensity and increase some behaviours associated with relaxation. When behavioural changes occurred, most were observed during exposure to DAP and there were minimal residual effects post-treatment. Conclusion The evidence for using DAP to manage stress behaviours associated with anxiety in dogs over six months of age remains weak. Until there is a stronger evidentiary basis, clinicians should be aware that a true clinical benefit is undetermined. Nevertheless, DAP is unlikely to cause harm and may still provide some therapeutic benefit. Therefore, DAP may still be employed in a multimodal management plan for some behaviour cases and may exert a placebo effect. However, if an owner’s financial resources are restrictive, clinicians should not prioritise pheromone therapy at the omission of other therapies that have established clinical effects   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ffion Lloyd ◽  
Pamela Murison

PICO question In horses undergoing general anaesthesia, does assistance with ropes result in better recoveries when compared to no assistance (‘free’ recovery)?   Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed One randomised, non-blinded controlled trial and two retrospective cohort studies Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported The three studies reviewed arrive at different conclusions regarding the utility of rope assistance in recovery from general anaesthesia in horses, but examine very different populations. The randomised controlled trial provides weak evidence that rope assistance can shorten recovery and improve recovery quality in healthy (American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I–II) horses. One retrospective cohort study provides weak evidence that rope assistance confers a reduction in fatality in both healthy and sick horses. The other retrospective cohort study provides weak evidence that rope assistance confers no benefit to horses undergoing emergency colic surgery. Both assisted and unassisted groups in each study had fatalities and all studies reported complications related to the rope recovery system Conclusion Insufficient evidence is available to permit a full recommendation regarding rope assistance during recovery from general anaesthesia in horses. Rope assistance may improve recovery time and quality in some horses. The decision to perform a rope-assisted recovery must be made considering individual patient, team and clinic factors. Rope assistance cannot prevent fatalities in recovery   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.  


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