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Any lump at the site of injection that is still present three months after vaccination, is larger than 2 cm in diameter, or is increasing in size one month after vaccination should be surgically removed and investigated through histopathology.

This is the 3–2–1 rule for monitoring potential feline injection-site sarcomas (FISS).

FISS are uncommon but serious tumours that can develop at sites of vaccination or other injections. Because these tumours can be locally invasive, early recognition and appropriate diagnostic investigation are important.

The ABCD also emphasizes that any cutaneous or subcutaneous mass in a cat warrants further diagnostic consideration, not only those that meet the 3–2–1 criteria.

For prevention, the guideline recommends selecting injection sites where a potential mass would be easier to surgically remove, with the interscapular region and lateral thoracic wall generally avoided and injections preferably administered distally on a limb.

Importantly, the risk of FISS does not mean vaccination should be stopped. Vaccination remains important, but schedules should be individualized according to the cat’s risk and current vaccination guidelines.

Want the full clinical guidance? Check the comments for the complete ABCD guideline on feline injection-site sarcoma, including recommendations for monitoring and injection-site selection.

A 12-hour fast may be longer than necessary for many of our patients. Let’s go back to AAHA’s fasting guidelines.

The 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats state that, although the evidence is not uniform, recommended fasting times for healthy adult patients have decreased.

This change is based on clinical experience and experimental evidence suggesting potential benefits of shorter fasting periods, including a lower incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

AAHA also emphasizes that shorter fasting is particularly important for diabetic and neonatal patients, who should not undergo prolonged food withholding.

We posted a PDF version in our subscriber group.

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2020;56(2):59–82.

The goal is to stop the heat exposure, begin active cooling, and get the animal to veterinary care.

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗘

Watch for:

• Panting
• Stopping activity, playing, or lying down
• Stumbling or disorientation
• A warm ambient environment
• Take a temperature if possible

𝗔𝗖𝗧

• Stop activity
• Move the animal to a cool location
• Call for help — including a nearby veterinary facility and assistance with transportation

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗟

• Apply cool running water over the body, emphasizing areas with less fur and soaking through to the skin.
• Avoid applying water directly to the head and neck because of drowning risk.
• Continue cooling for at least 15 minutes, or until the re**al temperature reaches approximately 40°C (104°F).*
• The animal should become calmer and panting should improve.
• Pat the animal dry with a towel afterward.

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧

After initial cooling:

• Transport safely to the nearest open veterinary hospital.
• Keep the animal in a cool environment during transport, using air conditioning or a fan when available.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲:

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.

For a dog or cat with suspected heat stroke, stop the activity, move them somewhere cool, begin active cooling, and arrange immediate veterinary care.

* If the animal has stertor or stridor, you can continue cooling until panting clearly improves or the temperature reaches 38.6°C (101.5°F), whichever comes first. In all cases, stop active cooling once 38.6°C is reached.

These recommendations are from the 2026 RECOVER First Aid Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

Does it matter whether the eyelids are open or closed during a Schirmer tear test (STT-1)?

A recent study evaluated STT-1 measurements in 30 healthy dogs—15 Shih Tzus and 15 Labrador Retrievers—and found that eyelid position significantly affected tear production measurements.

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗧𝗧-𝟭 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀:

Labrador Retrievers: 21.6 ± 2.9 vs. 17.8 ± 3.2 mm/min
Shih Tzus: 18.6 ± 2.7 vs. 16.3 ± 2.5 mm/min

The difference was significant throughout the 60-second test and was detectable as early as 10 seconds.

Interestingly, Schirmer strips also dislodged more frequently when the eyes were open, occurring in 6 of the 30 dogs, compared with none when the eyelids were closed.

So, should we always perform STT-1 with the eyelids closed? Not necessarily. The authors consider either technique appropriate—the important point is consistency. Using different eyelid positions between visits could introduce a difference in STT-1 readings that may be mistaken for a change in tear production.

The study also highlights an important practical point: over one-third of surveyed veterinary ophthalmology professionals reported that they sometimes performed STT-1 with the eyelids open and sometimes closed.

Study cited in the comments:

Muscle condition in dogs score is assessed by visualization and palpation of the spine, scapulae, skull, and wings of the ilia.

Muscle loss is typically first noted in the epaxial muscles on each side of the spine; muscle loss at other sites can be more variable.

Muscle condition score is graded as normal, mild loss, moderate loss, or severe loss.

Note that animals can have significant muscle loss even if they are overweight (body condition score > 5/9). Conversely, animals can have a low body condition score (< 4/9) but have minimal muscle loss. Therefore, assessing both body condition score and muscle condition score on every animal at every visit is important.

Palpation is especially important with mild muscle loss and in animals that are overweight.

PDF version is linked in the comments

Muscle condition score in cats is assessed by visualization and palpation of the spine, scapulae, skull, and wings of the ilia.

Muscle loss is typically first noted in the epaxial muscles on each side of the spine; muscle loss at other sites can be more variable.

Muscle condition score is graded as normal, mild loss, moderate loss, or severe loss.

Note that animals can have significant muscle loss even if they are overweight (body condition score > 5/9). Conversely, animals can have a low body condition score (< 4/9) but have minimal muscle loss. Therefore, assessing both body condition score and muscle condition score on every animal at every visit is important.

Palpation is especially important with mild muscle loss and in animals that are overweight.

PDF version is linked in the comments

Hyperkalaemia is the most life-threatening metabolic abnormality in cats with urethral obstruction due to its effects on cardiac conduction. Treatment is indicated if ECG abnormalities or bradycardia are present, or if serum potassium exceeds 7.0 mmol/L.

Intravenous fluids should be started immediately, with calcium gluconate administered to stabilise the myocardium. If urinary outflow cannot be rapidly restored, insulin with glucose can be used to temporarily lower serum potassium by shifting it intracellularly.

β₂-adrenergic agonists may be considered for persistent hyperkalaemia, although evidence in obstructed cats is limited. Prompt relief of the obstruction remains the definitive treatment.

Want to learn more about the pathophysiology of hyperkalemia? Comment "Hyperkalemia" and we’ll send you a paper that explains it in detail.