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FNCB 'moderately effective' at retrieving clinically-useful GI samples
The team reviewed GI samples from 25 dogs and 19 cats obtained by fine needle cytology biopsies.
Study published in the JSAP reviewed GI samples from 25 dogs and 19 cats.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle cytology biopsies (FNCB) are moderately effective at retrieving clinically-useful samples from gastrointestinal lesions (GI lesions), according to new research.

Published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the study aimed to assess factors that may influence the clinical usefulness of samples collected from GI lesions by FNCB. The team reviewed GI samples from 25 dogs and 19 cats obtained by FNCB from a single institution between February 2014 to August 2016.

Researchers evaluated the clinical records to obtain historical data, clinical findings, diagnostic results and patient outcomes. Lesion thickness was categorised further as either a mass (≥20 mm thickness) or a thickening (<20mm).

The team also reviewed factors that may have influenced the retrieval of a clinically useful sample. These included the lesion location, sonographic lesion thickness, the loss of (or alteration to) the intestinal layer conspicuity on ultrasound, and the number of slides submitted to the cytologists.

Study author Dr Robert Turner, a registrar in veterinary radiology at the University of Melbourne, said: “Of the submitted cytological samples, 68 per cent (30/44) were considered clinically useful, including 11 of 18 from the stomach, eight of 12 from the small intestine, five of six from the ileocaecal junction and six of eight cases from the colon.

"The study found that both increasing lesion thickness and the number of slides submitted to the cytologists were positively associated with the odds of obtaining a clinically useful sample. In a multivariable logistic regression model, some evidence was obtained that these factors were related, but the available data was insufficient to precisely estimate their combined effect.”

JSAP editor, Nicola Di Girolamo, concluded: “The results of this study indicate that ultrasound-guided percutaneous cytology is moderately effective at retrieving clinically useful samples from GI lesions. Future research including larger, prospective studies would help to ascertain safety of this diagnostic technique, potential inter-operator variability, as well as a pragmatic comparison in terms of patient outcomes with the current standards for diagnosing GI lesions.”

 

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.