The implementation of the RECOVER guidelines at the Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Ghent University was assessed by performing both a cross-sectional research and a study on the impact of training. During a six-month prospective cross-sectional study, 39 patients, which underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), were recorded. This corresponds with an incidence of 1.8% of all hospitalized patients that underwent CPR during the same period. Of these cases, 32 were included in the statistics. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was obtained in eleven patients (34.3%), but only one dog (3.1%) survived to discharge. In this study, an association between hemolymphatic disease as concomitant disease and not obtaining ROSC was shown. Subsequently, four cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training sessions were organized. The confidence of the participants was evaluated before and after these training sessions and showed a significant increase after the training session. With increased training of all personnel and students involved in CPR efforts, the aim of this study was to increase positive outcomes and to achieve a more standardized CPR protocol.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are common complications with a prevalence of 0.8 to 18%. Many risk factors, such as patient, environmental and treatment factors can contribute to the development of SSI. Two dogs that developed a SSI after forelimb amputation are discussed. The first dog was presented with an open comminuted intra-articular fracture of the right elbow. The second dog was diagnosed with a soft-tissue sarcoma at the right elbow. Perioperative cefazolin was administered in both patients. Only in the first patient, antimicrobial therapy was continued in the postoperative period. Both dogs developed an SSI within four to five days postoperatively. Yet, prophylactic antimicrobials can help to prevent SSI, provided that the correct antimicrobial is used at the correct dose, at the right time and given IV. Factors, such as hypothermia, violating the Halsted’s principles and the number of people present in the theater may increase the risk of SSI. Besides the meticulous use of antimicrobials, perioperative management is thus also important in SSI prevention.