PASE Articles

BOAS is a collection of upper airway abnormalities that result from the shortened skull structure seen in brachycephalic dog breeds (e.g., English Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus). These anatomical changes often lead to partial or complete airway obstruction, which can result in respiratory distress and other complications.

If you’ve ever wondered whether sacrococcygeal epidural blocks are worth adding to your anesthetic toolbox, the answer is…yes! This simple, minimal-risk technique provides targeted perineal analgesia without motor block to the pelvic limbs. In cats especially, it can make challenging procedures like urethral obstruction catheterization far smoother and less stressful, for both the patient and the clinician.

Philadelphia Animal Specialty & Emergency (PASE) is now offering intravenous ketamine-lidocaine (KL) infusions as a palliative pain management option for canine oncology patients. Under the care of board-certified veterinary oncologist Dr. Lillie Davis, this novel outpatient therapy is tailored for dogs experiencing refractory cancer-related pain—particularly those with osteolytic lesions, soft tissue invasion, or pain associated with radiation side effects.

Non-infectious meningoencephalitides are a group of immune-mediated diseases found in dogs. Other common terms include sterile meningoencephalitis or inflammatory brain disease. While an auto-antigen has not been well established in these diseases to classify them as true auto-immune diseases, they behave clinically as auto-immune diseases both in their presentation and response to treatment, and referring to them as such typically makes owner education easier. A long list of infectious diseases have been evaluated in an attempt to identify an underlying cause, but to no avail.

Melvin, a 4.5 yo MC Basset hound, was initially presented to the PASE Emergency Service on 2/19 for a 4 day history of coughing and tachypnea which was noted that day. He also vomited a few times during that 4 day time period, one of which contained a piece of ketchup packet. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions we as veterinarians encounter in our aging patients. This progressive and degenerative disease leads to joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, and decline in mobility, all of which greatly affect quality of life. While OA cannot be cured or reversed, there are several methods used to slow the progression, manage the pain associated, and aid in mobility. Traditional methods include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), weight management, physical therapy, and nutraceuticals. Recently, the use of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy has been growing in popularity as well.

Radiography is a powerful and readily available diagnostic tool that is often used as part of a work up or as a screening test.

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most common acquired primary hemostatic disorder in dogs, and although less common, is also recognized in cats. It is characterized by immune-mediated destruction of platelets and megakaryocytes. Rapid recognition of the disease and initiation of therapy is critical given that this condition can be life-threatening. ITP is diagnosed as a condition of exclusion and can be classified as primary (idiopathic, non-associative) or secondary (associative). The absence of definitive diagnostic criteria complicates diagnosis, but recently published ACVIM consensus statements (part I, part II) provide systematic recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.

Monitoring blood pressure during anesthesia is paramount to ensuring patient safety. At PASE, we often employ advanced monitoring techniques for patients with critical illnesses, significant comorbidities, or those undergoing high-risk procedures. One of the most frequently utilized advanced techniques is direct (invasive) arterial blood pressure monitoring.

As a board-certified veterinary surgeon, surgical oncology cases are a large part of what I see on a day to day basis. Understanding the surgical approach to these cases not only enhances our teamwork but can also significantly improve patient outcomes. Here, I’ll share insights on how we can effectively address tumors in our canine and feline patients from a surgeon’s perspective and how we can best collaborate on these often challenging cases.