Any pets for pets knows that our fur friends can embark on accidents. While some like driving in mud are mainly a nuisance, ingesting something that they should not be very dangerous. In a study published on August 18 in the journal Borders in veterinary scienceDoctor Jake Johnson, a cardiology resident at the College of Veterinary Medicine from the Northern Carolina State University, presents a case study of a chihuahua that accidentally ingested cocaine.
Before the study was published, the team Boundaries Driven this Q&R with Dr. Johnson. It has not been changed.
Borders: What inspired you to become a researcher?
Dr Jake Johnson: I was initiated into the One Health Initiative during my undergraduate studies, which opened my eyes to the power of collaborative science. This initiative promotes collaboration between veterinary medicine, human medicine, environmental disciplines and other scientific fields to advance our collective well-being. What fascinated me is how interconnected our health challenges are – diseases do not respect the boundaries between species or environments. I realized that the discoveries we make in veterinary medicine often have wider implications, and research provides the platform to share this information on the disciplines. In the end, I believe that all of our knowledge has greater value when it is transmitted to others, and research gives me the possibility of being part of this knowledge sharing ecosystem which can create ripple effects far beyond any unique case that I could deal with.
F: Can you tell us about the research you are currently working on?
JJ: Throughout my residence in cardiology and beyond, I focus my research efforts on filling the gap between advanced heart knowledge and practical clinical application, with a particular accent on education. I hope to increase accessibility to veterinary students and practicing clinicians who may have limited access to specialized heart training. My previous research includes a case report involving a cat with an unusual form of heart failure and the use of imaging methods to help guide different approaches in clinical practice.
F: How do the VETs study cocaine toxicosis in animals?
JJ: Most of our research on this subject was carried out in an experimental laboratory framework. Given the limited data available in canines, veterinary research had to extrapolate data from human medicine. Unfortunately, these experimental scenarios often do not imitate real clinical scenarios. As such, a limited number of reports exist. Another challenge concerning this subject is that animal owners may not know what their dog has consumed the soil at any time or may be afraid of admitting what they know. This creates a clear gap between our controlled research and our disorderly clinical reality.
F: What symptoms of Chihuahua-The patient of this study-he presented and how did you get to the diagnosis?
JJ: The dog initially arrived at the reference clinic with episodes of collapsing and an abnormally low heart rate. Given the alleged ingestion of illicit substances, a criterion of urinary drug at the care point was carried out, which was positive for cocaine, this was checked later during another shipment.
F: What measures can owners take to prevent their pets from accidentally ingesting such substances?
JJ: Dogs are natural scavengers and will investigate everything on the ground, so be careful during walks. Animal owners can prevent ingestion by keeping their dog on a leash, by monitoring all attempts to collect or consume unknown soil objects, and use a basket mouth if necessary. Form your dog with commands “leave it” and “drop it”, which can save lives if they meet dangerous substances. If you suspect an exhibition or you have the impression that your dog does not normally act, it is important to consult the immediate veterinary attention – an early intervention can be vital.
F: In your opinion, why is your research important?
JJ: Case reports are crucial to veterinary medicine by providing examples of the real world. They capture clinical scenarios that more important studies could fail, preserve unusual presentations for a future reference and help develop our collective understanding of rare presentations, ultimately improving the protocols of emergency and treatment preparation.
F: Are there false common ideas in this area of research? How will you approach them?
JJ: A major false idea of research in toxicology, in particular with illicit substances, is that veterinarians will judge the owners or report them to the authorities if they admit that their pet can have ingested drugs. This fear prevents the sharing of crucial information that could save lives. Being honest about the potential exposure can be saved from life – the more information you can provide information on what, when and how much your pet can have consumed, the better we can adapt the treatment and monitor specific complications. What matters most is to get your immediate help pet, not to attribute the blame.
F: What are the research areas you would like to see addressed in the years to come?
JJ: Veterinary medicine increases at an incredible pace. We now have access to procedures such as open heart surgery, kidney transplants, dialysis and bronchial stents which were once considered Fatassés. However, the real challenge consists in making this vital progress accessible and commonplace. We desperately need research focused on reducing obstacles to entry and improving access to advanced care. This means developing studies on simplified imaging techniques that can be carried out with standard equipment, the creation of profitable screening methods and the design of educational interventions which can translate specialized knowledge into practical tools for daily veterinary practice. I would also like to see research that tackles the economic realities of veterinary care – studies on alternative treatment protocols which obtain similar results to lower costs, training programs in basic specialized procedures for general practitioners and telemedicine requests for specialized consultations. The objective should be to democratize advanced veterinary care so that a dog in a rural clinic has access to similar safeguard treatments as one in a specialized metropolitan hospital. It is only then that these incredible medical advances will really achieve their potential for improving animal welfare on a larger scale.
F: How did Open Science take advantage of the reach and impact of your research?
JJ: Information is only useful for people if they have access to it. By eliminating obstacles to entry, knowledge can reach a wider audience. My goal is to make sure that peers have the knowledge base to practice the facets of cardiology, even with limited resources.
