Background: Progressive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) dose reduction appears logical; however, there is no evidence-based medicine indicating that efficacy is maintained as dose is reduced.Objective: To determine if NSAID dose can be reduced and pain relief and mobility can be maintained in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA).Animals: Client-owned dogs (n = 59) with OA-associated impaired mobility and pain. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded study. After 14 days wash-out, dogs were randomized to reducing dose (RDG) (n = 30) or maintenance dose (MDG) (n = 29). MDG received standard dose meloxicam. RDG received a reducing dose from D28 onward, reducing to 0% of maintenance for the final 2 weeks. Assessments were at D14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 using subjective owner assessments, accelerometry (AM), and standing percent body weight distribution (%BW). A Kaplan-Meier survival curve described how dogs dropped out because of insufficient pain control. A Log-rank test compared the groups.Results: More dogs in RDG (13) dropped out because of owner-evaluated insufficient pain control compared with MDG (5) (P = .029; odds ratio: 3.67; median dropout time: 84 days in each group). For the dogs that did not drop out (n = 41), there were no significant differences between groups in owner assessments (P > .2 for each), %BW placed on the index limb (P = .750), or accelerometer-measured activity (P = .14).Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Dose reduction is a less effective means of pain control compared with maintained dosing. However, NSAID dose reduction with maintained efficacy is possible, but success appears to be individual dog dependent.

Computed tomography was used to evaluate a 7-year-old English bulldog with a history of facial swelling and to aid in the diagnosis of parotid duct sialolithiasis. Removal of the sialolith with repair of the duct was not possible because of ductal fibrosis. Histological evaluation revealed glandular atrophy and fibrosis with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. The parotid duct was ulcerated and fibrotic, with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Surgical excision of the parotid duct and salivary gland was curative.

RUMM block may be an effective technique to provide adjunctive analgesia for dogs undergoing surgery of the distal aspect of the thoracic limb.

Due to the lack of current evidence in the veterinary prehospital arena, best practice guidelines were developed as an initial platform. Recommendations were based on a review of pertinent human and available veterinary literature as well as a consensus of the authors' professional opinions. It is anticipated that evidence-based additions will be made in the future.

The LigaSure Atlas vessel sealing device can be used and resterilized with ethylene oxide up to 15 times with no change in sealing time or bursting pressure of the seal.