Monitoring of diabetic dogs

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the dog. Although diagnostics are relatively straightforward, treatment and especially adequate long-term monitoring are challenging. To avoid complications, such as hypoglycemia, weight loss, diabetes ketoacidosis and urinary tract infections, adequate monitoring is indispensable. In this review different monitoring tools, such as history and clinical signs, single and serial blood glucose measurements, glycated blood products, continuous glucose measurements and urine glucose will be evaluated. Because each monitoring technique has its limitations, the challenge for the veterinarian is to use an adequate combination of these tools to obtain a good image of the patient's glycemic status

Medical management of a penile fracture with presumed pyelonephritis in a juvenile dog

A three-month-old male entire Bouvier des Flandres was presented for acute onset dysuria, haematuria, lethargy and severe pain on palpation of the penis. Further investigation revealed a parcellar fracture of the cranial separate ossification centre of the os penis and associated urinary tract infection with presumed pyelonephritis. Fluoroscopic retrograde urethrography was performed revealing intermittent urethral obstruction caused by displacement of the cranial bone fragment of the separate ossification centre of the os penis. The urethra was catheterised to realign the fragments and to permit urination and antibiotic treatment was started. The urinary catheter was kept in place for five days. After its removal, normal urination was observed with complete resolution of the clinical signs. Follow-up radiographs and ultrasound examination confirmed resolution of mechanical obstruction with fusion of part of the separate ossification centre and realignment of the displaced bony fragment

Autochthonous Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a Border collie in Belgium

A nine-month-old, female Border collie was referred to the clinic because of an acute persistent cough and hemoptysis after excitation. Thoracic radiographs revealed a diffuse interstitial to alveolar pattern, compatible with pulmonary hemorrhage. To stabilize the dog and because of a suspected complex coagulopathy and on-going bleeding evidenced by worsening anemia, a fresh frozen plasma transfusion (10 ml/kg over four hours) was administered. Fecal examination confirmed the clinical suspicion of Angiostrongylus vasorum as the underlying cause of all the observed clinical signs. The dog was treated with fenbendazole (50 mg/kg SID) during 21 days. One week after treatment initiation, the dog was clinically healthy and thoracic radiographs showed a marked improvement of the pulmonary lesions. This case illustrates that autochthonous canine A. vasorum infections can occur in Belgium and they should be taken into account in the diagnostic work-up of dogs with respiratory signs and bleeding disorders

Onderzoeksrapport 'Gezondheidsprofiel gedetineerden'

Het onderzoeksproject ‘Gezondheidsprofiel van gedetineerden’ heeft als doel het gezondheidsprofiel bij gedetineerden in Vlaamse en Brusselse gevangenissen kwantitatief te beschrijven. Hiertoe is bij een representatieve steekproef van 817 gedetineerden in 12 geselecteerde gevangenissen informatie verzameld over hun gezondheid, gezondheidsgedrag en gezondheidsdeterminanten. De verzamelde gegevens illustreren dat gedetineerden voor de meeste gezondheidsproblemen en gezondheidsgedragingen slechter scoren dan de algemene populatie

Peritoneopericardiale hernia diafragmatica met eenmalige pericardiale effusie bij een beagle

A male, four-year-old, castrated Beagle was presented with ascites, tachypnee, partial anorexia and lethargy. Through radiography, echocardiography and computed tomography, the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was made, where probably only omentum was herniated into the pericardium. Abdominocentesis and pericardiocentesis were performed. The peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was treated conservatively because, after one pericardiocentesis, no new pericardial effusion developed and the patient did well. At a control visit six months later, the patient was active, playful and without recurrence of pericardial effusion

Use of behaviour change techniques by direct support professionals to support healthy lifestyle behaviour for people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities

Background Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) can be employed to support a healthy lifestyle for people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study is to determine whether and which BCTs are used by direct support professionals (DSPs) for supporting healthy lifestyle behaviour of people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities. Method Direct support professionals (n = 18) were observed in their daily work using audio-visual recordings. To code BCTs, the Coventry Aberdeen London Refined (CALO-RE-NL) taxonomy was employed. Results Direct support professionals used 33 BCTs out of 42. The most used BCTs were as follows: 'feedback on performance', 'instructions on how to perform the behaviour', 'doing together', 'rewards on successful behaviour', 'reward effort towards behaviour', 'DSP changes environment', 'graded tasks', 'prompt practice' and 'model/demonstrate behaviour'. Conclusions Although a variety of BCTs is used by DSPs in their support of people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities when facilitating healthy lifestyle behaviour, they rely on nine of them

Use of behaviour change techniques by direct support professionals to support healthy lifestyle behaviour for people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities

Background: Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) can be employed to support a healthy lifestyle for people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study is to determine whether and which BCTs are used by direct support professionals (DSPs) for supporting healthy lifestyle behaviour of people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities. Method: Direct support professionals (n = 18) were observed in their daily work using audio-visual recordings. To code BCTs, the Coventry Aberdeen London Refined (CALO-RE-NL) taxonomy was employed. Results: Direct support professionals used 33 BCTs out of 42. The most used BCTs were as follows: ‘feedback on performance’, ‘instructions on how to perform the behaviour’, ‘doing together’, ‘rewards on successful behaviour’, ‘reward effort towards behaviour’, ‘DSP changes environment’, ‘graded tasks’, ‘prompt practice’ and ‘model/demonstrate behaviour’. Conclusions: Although a variety of BCTs is used by DSPs in their support of people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities when facilitating healthy lifestyle behaviour, they rely on nine of them