Things VetMed Borrowed from Human Med
Weird but True
Toxicology Terrors
Critical Care Oddities
Name That Veterinary Emergency
When VetMed Led the Way
100
This trauma imaging technique, first described in humans, assesses the diaphragmatic-hepatic, cysto-colic, hepato-renal, and spleno-renal sites for free fluid.
What is a FAST exam?
100
This domestic species cannot vomit because of anatomy.
What is the horse? or What is the rabbit?
100
This sugar substitute is harmless in humans but deadly for dogs, causing hypoglycemia and potential liver failure.
What is xylitol (sugar-free gum and foods)?
100
This bedside ultrasound measurement estimates ICP in dogs, cats and horses as well as humans.
What is the optic nerve sheath diameter?
100
A cat with open-mouth breathing and muffled heart sounds likely has this condition.
What is pleural effusion?
100
Unlike humans, vets typically require this test before nearly every transfusion in cats.
What is cross-matching?
200
Modeled after APACHE, this veterinary score predicts prognosis in critically ill dogs and cats.
What is APPLE score?
200
Cats with a urethral obstruction often develop an elevation of this electrolyte, which can cause a unique “sinoventricular rhythm” on ECG.
What is hyperkalemia?
200
Cats given acetaminophen often die from this condition.
What is methemoglobinemia (and hepatic necrosis)?
200
Cats that fall from 2–6 stories often survive better than from lower heights, due to terminal velocity physics and their anatomy. This phenomenon is nicknamed the “__________ syndrome.”
What is the high-rise syndrome?
200
This canine breed is the poster child for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
What is a boxer?
200
Veterinary ICUs were early adopters of this point-of-care coagulation testing (TEG/ROTEM) to guide transfusion decisions, even before many human centers.
What is viscoelastic testing?
300
This therapy for local anesthetic overdose in humans became a lifesaver for dogs that ingest lipophilic toxins like ibuprofen and marijuana.
What is intralipids (lipid emulsion therapy)?
300
Rabbits restrained too suddenly may develop this fatal condition.
What is capture myocarditis leading to cardiac arrest?
300
This anticoagulant rodenticide causes life-threatening bleeding in both people and pets.
What are vitamin K antagonists? (Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difethialone, Difenacoum, Flocoumafen)
300
Ferrets that present with seizures most often suffer from this endocrine disease.
What is insulinoma?
300
Tick-borne Ehrlichia can trigger this immune-mediated red cell disorder.
What is IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia)?
300
Veterinary studies on this class of fluids, raised concerns about renal injury and helped shape debate in human critical care guidelines.
What are synthetic colloids (hydroxyethyl starches)?
400
In 2012, veterinary medicine developed its own evidence-based CPR guidelines, modeled after AHA/ILCOR.
What is RECOVER?
400
Ferrets are commonly used in research for this seasonal human vaccine because they contract the same disease as humans.
What is influenza or flu?
400
Grape or raisin ingestion in dogs leads to failure of this organ.
What are the kidneys?
400
Stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, hypoplastic trachea, and everted laryngeal saccules are key findings in this syndrome that primarily affects English and French bulldogs, pugs, and other smoosh-faced dogs.
What is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)?
400
Closed-cervix pyometra is considered more dangerous than open-cervix because of this pathophysiologic risk.
What is uterine rupture and septic peritonitis?
400
Veterinary medicine pioneered structured tools like the HHHHHMM scale and frank discussions about this sensitive topic, which human palliative care now cites as a model for compassionate decision-making.
What is quality of life and euthanasia?
500
Originally developed for use in human critical care, norepinephrine is now the first-line vasopressor in both species. But while human guidelines only recently accepted it, veterinarians have been giving it this way for decades without hesitation.
What is peripherally (through peripheral IVs)?
500
This organ twists in cattle and dogs, but not in humans, leading to shock and death without surgery.
What is the stomach (gastric dilatation-volvulus, abomasal displacement)?
500
This chelator, used in both children and parrots, treats lead poisoning.
What is EDTA?
500
This parasitic infection in cats can mimic stroke, seizures, or brain tumors, and in pregnant women, it poses serious risks to the fetus.
What is toxoplasmosis?
500
Toy breeds like Yorkies may present with a “goose-honking” cough caused by dynamic airway narrowing. This condition is often confirmed with fluoroscopy or bronchoscopy.
What is tracheal collapse?
500
Before it became mainstream in human trauma care, veterinary studies in dogs with hemoperitoneum supported “small-volume resuscitation” and this strategy of maintaining a lower-than-normal blood pressure until bleeding is controlled.
What is permissive hypotension?