Factors associated with positive urine cultures in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass system implantation

Objectives The aims of this study were to report the postoperative incidence of subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB)-associated bacteriuria and risk factors in a large population of UK cats, to identify the commonly implicated isolates in these cases and to report associations of positive postoperative urine cultures with device occlusion or a need for further surgery. Methods Electronic clinical records were reviewed to identify cats with ureteral obstruction that underwent unilateral or bilateral SUB implantation between September 2011 and September 2019. In total, 118 client-owned cats were included in the study population. Information recorded included signalment, history, surgical and biochemical factors, urinalysis and culture results. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with a positive postoperative culture. Results In total, 10 cats (8.5%) had a positive postoperative culture within 1 month postsurgery and 28 cats (23.7%) within 1 year postsurgery. Cats with a positive preoperative culture were significantly more likely to have a positive culture within 6 months postoperatively (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–14.18; P = 0.026). Of the 14 cats with a positive preoperative culture, six (42.9%) returned a positive culture within 1 year postoperatively, and in four cases (66.7%) the same isolate was identified. Cats with a higher end-anaesthetic rectal temperature were significantly less likely to return a positive culture within 3 months (OR 0.398, 95% CI 0.205–0.772; P = 0.006) postsurgery. Cats culturing positive for Escherichia coli at any time point (OR 4.542, 95% CI 1.485–13.89; P = 0.008) were significantly more likely to have their implant removed or replaced. Conclusions and relevance Perioperative hypothermia and preoperative positive culture were independent predictors of a postoperative positive culture and this should be taken into consideration when managing these cases. Positive postoperative culture rates were higher than have previously been reported

A retrospective analysis of urethral rupture in 63 cats

The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term morbidity and mortality associated with urethral rupture in cats. Medical records were reviewed from four veterinary hospitals. Diagnosis was made from retrograde urethrography or direct visualisation during surgery. Location of rupture was categorised as pre-, intra- or post-pelvic. Follow-up data were collected from referring veterinarians. Sixty-three cats were included in the study of which, males predominated (88.9%). Trauma was the most common cause (n = 35; 55.6%) with the remainder due to iatrogenic injury. Forty-eight cats (88.9%) were treated surgically and six (11.1%) managed conservatively. Significant differences between cats suffering traumatic versus iatrogenic injury included the presence of musculoskeletal injuries (P <0.001); the location of rupture (P <0.001); the degree of rupture (P <0.001); definitive management (P <0.001) and short-term complications (P = 0.026). Short-term complications were significantly associated with the following: musculoskeletal injuries (P = 0.012); uroabdomen/uroretroperitoneum (P = 0.004); azotaemia (P = 0.021); postoperative urinary diversion (P = 0.036) and >1 surgery performed (P = 0.006). Forty-seven cats (74.6%) survived to discharge. Prognostic factors associated with survival to discharge included the presence of musculoskeletal injuries (P = 0.017); cause of rupture (P = 0.017); location of rupture (P = 0.039) and definitive management (P = 0.020). Twenty-four cats (57.1%) suffered short-term complications and 10 (27.0%) suffered long-term complications. Of those cats surviving to discharge 30 (71.4%) had a good outcome. Median follow-up was 16 months. Outcome was significantly associated with cause of rupture (P = 0.04); short-term complications (P = 0.03) and long-term complications (P <0.001). In conclusion, a significantly greater proportion of cats with iatrogenic injuries survived to discharge and had a good outcome compared with those that suffered trauma

VetSustain Curriculum Working Group: Past, Present and Future

Background: VetSustain is a multidisciplinary group of veterinary professionals with a passion for sustainability and how the profession can influence changes. VetSustain has identified six main sustainability goals to highlight the ways that veterinary professionals can, and do, and play a key role in addressing the challenges facing society. In order to achieve these goals, four working groups were created: Food and Farming, Greener Veterinary Practice, Communications and Network Engagement and Vet Curriculum. Sustainability is an essential aspect of the veterinary curriculum, expected by vet students and society in response to the climate emergency. There are also the challenges for all involved including lack of time, management support and general uncertainty of what needs to be covered in an already intense curriculum. This group provides a space to share experiences and support actions. Summary of work: The group has representatives from the majority of UK veterinary schools and the RCVS, including a range of discipline experts from cardiology to veterinary public health. The group meets regularly to discuss sustainability in Schools, campuses and curricula. Topics discussed include the tools and approaches taken and actions include presentations and workshops. Staff and students have emailed for advice about setting up similar groups in their institution, guests have attended meetings and the group has presented remotely to non-UK institutions. Speakers have attended meetings to showcase their research on how to implement sustainability in the curriculum. Members share these ideas with their local groups and report back on what works well. Take home message: New members are welcome. The group is an excellent environment to share ideas; its purpose has been equally important as a community of practice and peer support to discuss shared challenges as we progress in a steady but determined way to embed sustainability pedagogies in our curricula

Integrating Sustainability Into the Veterinary Curriculum

Veterinary professionals can and do play a key role in addressing the multiple challenges facing society. Vet Sustain’s mission is to enable and inspire veterinary professionals to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment. Based on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vet Sustain have created six goals for sustainability that are aligned to the veterinary profession: 1. Diverse and abundant wildlife; 2. A good life for animals; 3. Net zero warming; 4. Health and happiness; 5. A no-waste society; 6. Enough clean water for all. Vet Sustain is working to provide veterinary professionals and businesses with the tools to support uptake of sustainability policy and practices. This work includes partnering with students and staff in UK veterinary schools to highlight best practice in integrating sustainability topics into the curricula by 2022. Veterinary professionals have the potential to become leading forces for sustainability. We achieve this through our partnerships, both within and beyond the profession

Building a Sustainable Veterinary Profession Through Curriculum Change

The veterinary curriculum develops graduates who can tackle difficult situations; a key skill in a rapidly changing world (Massouli, 2021). However, sustainability concepts are rarely taught explicitly in veterinary curricula (Kramer et al., 2020). Students have advocated for the inclusion of sustainability concepts in higher education curricula for over 40 years (SOS-UK, 2021). In the face of global crises, this workshop provides a first step intaking up their challenge to create a future-thinking, resilient profession based on the foundations of long-term sustainability. This workshop incorporates three strands, allowing delegates to select their area of interest. 1. Key sustainability themes for the veterinary curriculum; 2. Sustainability of veterinary processes and activities; 3. Role of the veterinary professional in advocating for sustainability beyond the profession. The workshop will begin with a ten-minute presentation providing an overview of sustainability in the profession. Delegates will move to breakout rooms for facilitated group discussions on the workshop themes. The groups will return to the main room for a summary of each theme and opportunities for delegates to remain involved in the process post-conference

Thank you to our reviewers

Publication status: Publishe

Thank you to our reviewers

Key Points: The editors thank the 2022 peer reviewer