PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M S Garvey

Publications and source records attributed to M S Garvey.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Serratia marcescens contamination of feline whole blood in a hospital blood bank.

During a 7-month period, 29 units of feline whole blood in a hospital blood bank were confirmed, and 2 units were suspected, to be contaminated with Serratia marcescens. An investigation of the outbreak identified S marcescens in a jar of alcohol-soaked cotton balls and in a bag of saline solution used during venipuncture. Fifteen of the contaminated units were administered to 14 cats, and 6 of the 14 developed clinical signs of a transfusion reaction. The most common sign was vomiting; 4 cats died. The report underscores the importance of using aseptic techniques during collection of blood for transfusion and of thoroughly investigating any transfusion reaction.

Animals↗

Fluid and electrolyte balance in critical patients.

Recognition and appropriate management of fluid and electrolyte disorders in critical patients is extremely important. In many cases, these secondary problems are more complicated and more serious than the initiating disease process. A severely ill diabetic patient, for example, is more likely to die from dehydration, hyperosmolality, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia or hypophosphatemia than from hyperglycemia or lack of insulin therapy. Proper fluid therapy and treatment of electrolyte abnormalities make a major difference in the survival rate of critically ill animals.

Animals↗

Acute mitral regurgitation with papillary muscle rupture in a dog.

Papillary muscle rupture is uncommon in the dog. Two-dimensional echocardiography provides a rapid, noninvasive test in the diagnosis of acute, severe mitral regurgitation resulting from papillary muscle rupture. This report illustrates the usefulness of echocardiography to determine the cause of acute mitral regurgitation.

Acute Disease↗

Feline hepatic disease.

Species differences in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry lead to many dissimilarities between the canine and feline liver. Major differences exist in the interpretation of liver function tests, the significance of biochemical jaundice, the consequences of anorexia, and the efficiency of hepatic metabolic systems. Biochemical alterations in total bilirubin, ALT, and SAP may indicate the presence of disease in the feline liver. It is, however, impossible to make accurate diagnoses without liver biopsy. A liver biopsy can provide a diagnosis and prognosis and can guide the therapeutic plan. The feline hepatic diseases most frequently seen in our hospital are hepatic lipidosis, cholangiohepatitis complex, toxic hepatopathy, and hepatic neoplasia. Less common diseases of the feline liver include extrahepatic biliary obstruction, portacaval vascular anomalies, hepatic parasites, hepatic cysts, and diaphragmatic hernia. Systemic diseases that can effect the liver of cats are feline infectious peritonitis, multicentric lymphosarcoma, myeloproliferative diseases, hemolytic anemia, infectious panleukopenia, and systemic fungal infections.

Animals↗

The use of hetastarch as adjunct therapy in 26 dogs with hypoalbuminemia: a phase two clinical trial.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the synthetic colloid hetastarch in dogs with hypoalbuminemia. Individual doses of hetastarch ranged from 9 to 27 mL/kg, and multiple doses were used frequently. Total doses ranged from 9 to 59 mL/kg. Colloid oncotic pressure was measured in 13 dogs before and after treatment. Mean colloid oncotic pressure +/- SD was 9.32 +/- 2.35 mm Hg before treatment and 16.41 +/- 1.61 mm Hg in 8 healthy pet dogs used as controls. The difference in these values was significant (P < .001). There was a significant increase in mean colloid oncotic pressure after the first dose of hetastarch, but there was no relationship between the dose of hetastarch and the magnitude of increase in colloid oncotic pressure. Peripheral edema or body cavity transudates resolved or decreased in 83% of the dogs despite concurrent use of crystalloid fluid therapy. There was also no relationship between the dose of hetastarch and resolution of edema. Worsening of the results from coagulograms occurred in 5 of 18 dogs, and included increased prothrombin time (n = 1), increased partial thromboplastin time (n = 5), and decreased platelet count (n = 3). Bleeding that occurred in 3 dogs could not be directly attributed to the hetastarch. There was no relationship between the dose of hetastarch and worsening of the values in the coagulograms.

Animals↗

The effect of hetastarch on serum colloid oncotic pressure in hypoalbuminemic dogs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the duration of action of a single dose of hetastarch, a synthetic colloid, in hypoalbuminemic dogs. Thirty hypoalbuminemic dogs (albumin concentration, < or = 2.0 g/dL) received 1 dose of hetastarch each, with an average dose of 18.1 mL/kg. Doses ranged from 7.7 to 43.9 mL/kg, with the majority of doses (n = 26) in the range of 10 to 25 mL/kg. Dogs were allotted to one of several groups: all dogs, dogs with acute gastrointestinal protein loss, dogs with chronic gastrointestinal protein loss, all dogs with gastrointestinal protein loss, and dogs with nongastrointestinal protein loss. Colloid oncotic pressure was measured immediately before and immediately after hetastarch administration, and 12 hours after hetastarch administration. There was a significant (P < .001) increase in the mean colloid oncotic pressure after hetastarch treatment in all groups, except in the group with acute gastrointestinal protein loss. Twelve hours after hetastarch treatment, the mean colloid oncotic pressure had decreased significantly (P < .001) from the immediate post-treatment value in all groups, except in dogs in the groups with acute and chronic gastrointestinal protein loss. Twelve hours after hetastarch treatment the mean colloid oncotic pressure was not significantly (P < .001) different from the baseline mean colloid oncotic pressure in any of the groups. Twenty-three dogs (77%) survived their illness and were sent home, whereas, 7 (23%) died or were euthanized. The effect of a single dose of hetastarch on raising colloid oncotic pressure in dogs with hypoalbuminemia decreases significantly within 12 hours of administration, and is no longer significantly above baseline values. We conclude that multiple dosing is necessary to prolong the beneficial effects of hetastarch.

Animals↗