UCD Veterinary Hospital
Ospidéal Tréidliachta UCD
UVH News and Events
- Infectious diseases - MRSP Update
- New Radioactive Iodine Service
- Winter fatalities in cats
- Feline Hyperthyroidism Study
- New Computed Tomography (CT)
- Dog Blood Donor Clinic
- UCDVH in the media
- The UCDVH featured in TV3's Animal A&E On The Road on 8th and 28th March 2012.
- RTE's Nationwide features UCD Veterinary Medicine, 30th November 2011
- Article in The Irish Field, 24 September 2011
Infectious Diseases - MRSP Update
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius – an emerging small animal pathogen
The principal staphylococcal pathogen in dogs is Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, formerly Staphylococcus intermedius. This organism can acquire resistance to methicillin in a similar manner to S. aureus, in which case it is designated MRSP. Strains of MRSP in dogs and cats are usually resistant to many classes of antimicrobial agents, in addition to all beta-lactam antibiotics; in some cases they are resistant to almost all agents licensed for use in veterinary medicine. Thus, treatment of MRSP infections poses a major therapeutic challenge for the veterinary profession. Although the prevalence of MRSP in North America and Europe has been increasing since the year 2000, we have detected few MRSP cases in the UCDVH diag nostic laboratory to date. However, indications are that the prevalence of this multi-resistant strain is increasing in Ireland too. Infections caused by MRSP are the same as those caused by susceptible strains of S. pseudintermedius. Skin and ear infections and infections of the urinary tract are most common although infection of almost any site may occur. In addition, MRSP can act as a nosocomial pathogen in veterinary hospitals similar to MRSA in human hospitals. In most cases diagnosed through the UCDVH bacteriology laboratory, MRSP has been detected in the environment of the veterinary practice premises in addition to its isolation from the clinically affected animal. MRSP may be carried by humans also but seldom causes clinical infections (unlike MRSA).
Samples for culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be collected from non-responsive skin and ear infections in particular, in order to determine the best therapeutic option. In order to prevent spread of infection from MRSP cases to other animals and the environment, strict adherence to hygiene protocols in veterinary clinics and hospitals is essential.
For further information go to our Infectious Diseases webpage, or contact:
- Nola Leonard at
Tel: 01-7166179
email: nola.leonard@ucd.ie
New Radioactive Iodine (131I)
Therapy Service
A new radioactive Iodine therapy service for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats commenced at the UCD Veterinary Hospital in January 2012. This therapy has a success rate of >90% and eliminates the need for daily tablet administration or surgical removal of the thyroid glands. Fact sheets for veterinarians and owners can be viewed by clicking the images below.
 |
 |
|---|---|
Winter Fatalities in Cats: Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) Toxicity in Cats
Veterinary pathologists in the Diagnostic Services at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine have issued a timely warning to the veterinary profession, cat owners and the general public who are involved in car maintenance, that in recent years there has been a re-emergence of deaths in individual, and groups of, cats due to ethylene glycol poisoning. Ethylene Glycol is a major component of Anti-Freeze used particularly in car radiators.
This condition is usually associated with the autumn and early winter periods, times when there is active car maintenance in preparation for the winter and antifreeze, which has a sweet taste, is readily drunk by cats with only small quantities required to induce a relatively rapid kidney failure.
Cats may initially present as dull, listless, incordinated and this can rapidly lead on to kidney failure and death. Similarly dogs can also be poisoned by ingestion of ethylene glycol. Post mortem examination confirms the intoxication.
While the exacts sources of the ethylene glycol cannot be confirmed, discarded small quantities of antifreeze or pools of fluid from leaky car radiators are potential sources and therefore it is important to be vigilant in the storage and removal of this toxicant.
Calling all
Cat Owners
and
Veterinary Surgeons
in the
Greater Dublin area!!!
Do you or your client have a 10-year-old or older cat(s) and are suspicious it might be hyperthyroid (an overactive thyroid gland)?
We are conducting a study here in the UCDVH to determine the prevalence and risk factors for feline hyperthyroidism within the greater Dublin area.
All participating cats will be entitled to a free of charge T4 analysis here in our on-campus laboratories.
Please contact us on (01) 716 6136 or emailbarbara.gallagher@ucd.ie for more info.
This study is sponsored by Intervet Schering Plough.
This is the first dedicated veterinary 4 slice spiral CT scanner in Ireland. It can accurately locate pathology and evaluate the type and extent of disease present. The CT scan itself is an extremely fast procedure, normally taking less than a minute. The images can be reformatted to allow the lesions to be seen in three different planes or into a 3-D image.
Accidents, surgery and immune-mediated disease are some of the more common reasons that dogs need life saving blood transfusions. And, just like people, dogs have different blood types. Giving a matched blood transfusion minimises the risks of an adverse reaction.
The Dog Donor Clinic is a new initiative by the UCDVH and is run by Senior Veterinarian, Sheila Brennan.
If you think your dog might be a potential donor and you would like further information, please click on this pdf link to view the brochure.
RTE's Nationwide featured an interesting and informative look at Veterinary Medicine in Ireland today. It is fantastic to see how well our current students,recent Graduates (Hawkfield Veterinary practice) and well established Veterinary Surgeons are doing. If you missed it, you can catch it here...it really is well worth a watch!
RTÉ Player: Catch up with your favourite TV programmes online www.rte.ie.
Launch of UCD School of Veterinary Medicine in The Irish Field, 24 Sept 2011
Click here to read this article, which highlights the equine team and facilities at the UCD Veterinary Hospital.
UCDVH on TV3 programme 'Animal A&E'
A new TV3 series' Ireland's Animal A&E' documents the daily routine of the some veterinary clinics, including the UCD Veterinary Hospital. TV3 cameras go behind the scenes with the vets on call and follow the challenges of their everyday lives. The programme runs on Thursdays at 7.30pm on TV3.
To see the show, follow this link: Animal A&E
