NEWS NOTES
Avoiding Repeat Needle Sticks in Sick Foals The push-pull technique is an acceptable method for obtaining blood samples for venous blood gas analysis in foals and avoids repeated needle sticks, according to a recent study. A manual packed cell volume should be performed in place of hematocrit measurement, researchers added. This study compared venous blood gas parameters from samples collected by a push-pull technique through a jugular catheter with those sampled by direct jugular venipuncture in 17 hospitalized foals. Three different techniques for drawing a blood sample from a catheter were reviewed: the discard, the reinfusion, and the push-pull methods. The push-pull technique avoided the loss of blood associated with the discard method and reduced the risk of contamination associated with the reinfusion method, they said. A 10 mL syringe was used to aspirate a volume
of blood equal to 3 times the dead space volume of a 16G catheter and extension set (total 2.4 mL). This was immediately reinfused into the vein without disconnecting the syringe. This procedure was repeated 3 times before connecting a 1 mL heparinized syringe to collect venous blood. A 20G 1-inch needle and 1 mL syringe were used to obtain a blood sample from the contralateral jugular vein. All samples were analyzed with an automated blood gas analyzer within 10 minutes of collection. There was a high level of agreement between the results obtained by the 2 sampling methods at both 0 and 24 hours for almost all parameters except hematocrit and PVO2 values, the researchers found. This method would also be appropriate for electrolytes, glucose and lactate in sick neonatal foals. The project was funded by a research fund (RFF) of the University of Naples Federico II. MeV
For more information: Del Prete C, Lanci A, Cocchia N, et al. Venous blood gas parameters, electrolytes, glucose and lactate concentration in sick neonatal foals: direct venipuncture versus push-pull technique. Equine Vet J 2020 [Epub August 8]. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13332
AAEP Publishes Borrelia burgdorferi Infection and Lyme Disease Guidelines The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) published comprehensive guidelines to assist practitioners with identification, diagnosis and control of Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme disease, an important tickborne disease of horses in the northeastern United States and beyond. “Borrelia burgdorferi infection is common in horses residing in Lyme endemic areas and the geographic range for exposure appears to be increasing,” said co-author Sally DeNotta, DVM, PhD, DACVIM. “Despite the high prevalence of exposure and seropositivity to B. burgdorferi in horses residing in endemic regions, confirming clinical Lyme disease remains a diagnostic challenge. We hope these guidelines help clear up confusion and provide useful information to assist equine veterinarians with the diagnostic approach and clinical management of horses suspected of having Lyme disease.” The guidelines discusses which horses are at risk, clinical signs and recommendations for diagnostic testing. Several key take aways are: • Serology alone should not be viewed as a stand18
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alone test for Lyme disease because it only confirms exposure to B. burgdorferi or that the horse was vaccinated. • Some exposed horses do not exhibit clinical signs, but routine screening is not recommended. • None of the available seroassays can differentiate exposure to B. burgdorferi from clinical Lyme disease. • The magnitude of antibody titer does not correlate with the likelihood of clinical disease. The Borrelia burgdorferi Infection and Lyme Disease Guidelines, available as a PDF file, was authored for the AAEP’s Infectious Disease Committee by Thomas J. Divers DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC and Dr. DeNotta. The guidelines were reviewed and approved by the AAEP Infectious Disease Committee and board of directors. MeV VIEW the Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme Disease Guidelines or save them to your mobile device for future reference here.
