If you work in a veterinary practice or in the pet industry or in a business that supplies goods or services to the industry and you have something to say - why not become a 'Guest Blogger'?
For more information click here to read our: Guidelines for Guest Bloggers
Welcome to our monthly VetLit Clinical Publication update, where Dr Simon Cook, founder of VetLit.org, provides an overview and update on recently released studies from a wide range of veterinary publications. This month we have TWO studies….
This study prospectively enrolled 80 cats and randomised them to receive oral lorazepam (0.25 mg [approx 0.05 mg/kg], PO q12h) or placebo for one month after management of first time urethral obstruction.
Some exciting results in that 5 cats receiving a placebo re-obstructed, and no cats receiving lorazepam re-obstructed.
Figure 3 (below) shows the proportion of each group displaying lower urinary tract signs over time, which is also encouraging. The frequency of owner-reported sedation, ataxia and increased appetite was also compared between groups.
This retrospective study from 5 referral hospitals in Sydney describes approximately 600 cats with urethral obstruction. The authors document that cats with recurrent urethral obstructions were less frequently azotaemic, and that azotaemia and hyperkalaemia were associated with longer hospitalisation lengths. Simple.
But there is a lot more data to explore, considering the size of the study.
Some extra observations here:
Simon graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011 with degrees in veterinary science and veterinary pathogenesis. After a rotating internship at the Royal Veterinary College and two years in a busy 24 hour small animal hospital, he completed a residency in emergency and critical care at the Royal Veterinary College. He is currently a senior lecturer in emergency and critical care at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Clinical and research interests combined include immunomodulation, cardiovascular monitoring, patient side ultrasonography and aspiration pneumonia. VetLit.org is his passion project, making literature more accessible to anyone and everyone.
Connect with Simon:
Learn how CBDA Fortified Full Spectrum can be integrated into canine osteoarthritis treatment plans. Greencross is pleased to offer a free live webinar on 18 August 2026 exploring the latest developments in canine osteoarthritis management and the clinical application...
