Stay up to date with the latest small animal veterinary research.
In VetLit minis, ECC specialist Simon Cook and the VetLit team sit down with authors of recent studies for informal conversations about new research and how it can be applied in practice.
Combining published evidence with the authors’ clinical experience, we look for insights that extend beyond the paper - helping busy clinicians make sense of the evidence and apply it in everyday cases.
Produced by VetLit.org and hosted by Simon Cook, Chris Scudder, Abbe Crawford, Matteo Rossanese, and Kieran Borgeat. Join us as we work to make veterinary literature more accessible - and more accessed.
Lorazepam in cats with urethral obstruction with Professor Kelly Tart
Simon is joined by Professor Kelly Tart from the Universityof Minnesota to discuss “Lorazepam reduces recurrence of urethral obstruction in male cats: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.” https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.26.01.0045/javma.26.01.0045.xml (https://6saye.r.bh.d.sendibt3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tUrCniLTu2TMUzHjmhD3sB/P684XCN0H_vI)
The study prospectively enrolled 80 cats following their first urethral obstruction and randomised them to receive oral lorazepam or placebo for one month. Five cats receiving placebo re-obstructed, compared with none receiving lorazepam, alongside encouraging findings regardingowner-reported lower urinary tract signs.
We discuss the rationale behind the study, trial design, recurrence and lower urinary tract signs, reported adverse effects, and how to interpret the results. Finally, we ask the important clinical question: is the evidence strong enough to change how we manage cats after urethral obstruction?
23 Jul 2026
Anaphylaxis – when or if epinephrine is required, with Dr Ryan Smith DACVECC
Why is the severe anaphylaxis patient actually unstable, and how do you treat it?
This was a fascinating discussion with Dr Ryan Smith about his group’s study on dogs with severe anaphylaxis that did not receive early epinephrine as part of their management.
We cover those 49 cases, basic physiology, hepatic rupture and the protocol that Dr Smith and his team use. That protocol is available as supporting information to the study itself here:
Canine Anaphylaxis Patients Receiving Late Epinephrine or No Epinephrine: 49 Cases (2019–2023)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vec.70102
Other articles also mentioned:
Evaluation of hemostatic derangements associated with canine anaphylaxis and the relationship to syndrome severity
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vec.13345
Acute hepatic rupture causing hemoperitoneum in a dog with anaphylaxis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vms3.1391
Clinical characteristics of two-hundred thirty-two dogs (2006-2018) treated for suspected anaphylaxis in Perth, Western Australia
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avj.13114
18 Jun 2026
Rethinking resuscitation decisions: R, DNR or clinician discretion?
Here we have two amazing educators in Bobbi Conner DACVECC and Alex Blutinger DACVECC to discuss CPR orders, client presence in CPR events and tactics to help navigate these situations.
How do you decide when to stop, or if we should even have started?!
The studies we covered:
Evaluation of Client Communication Regarding Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders: A Survey Study
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vec.70064
Evaluation of a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Video Decision Aid for Pet Owners
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vec.70070
Outcome prediction in dogs admitted through the emergency room: Accuracy of staff prediction and comparison with an illness severity stratification system for hospitalized dogs
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vec.13350
You can (and should) listen to more from Bobbi on The Veterinary Journal Club and Discussions podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/veterinary-journal-club-discussions/id1478755748
Who has been a guest on VetLit minis
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Dan Brockman
Matteo Rossanese
George Hall
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