Peter-John Mäntylä Noble

University of Liverpool | UoL · School of Veterinary Science

Background: Ticks are an important driver of veterinary health care, causing infection and irritation to their hosts. Monitoring and mapping tick occurrences on companion animals can help understand and map risks for tick attachment in pets. Methods: Over seven million electronic health records (EHRs), among which 11741 EHRs reported tick attachme...

Background: Ear cropping for cosmetic purposes was made illegal in the UK in 2006. Despite this, a lack of import regulations and celebrity and media influences mean cropped dogs are increasingly reported. Methods: The demographics, temporal trends and patient-level associated factors for dogs with cropped ears were evaluated in a large sentinel...

Fleas in the genus Ctenocephalides are the most clinically important parasitic arthropods of dogs and cats worldwide yet risk factors that might increase the risk of infestation in small animals remains unclear. Here we developed a supervised text mining approach analysing key aspects of flea epidemiology using electronic health records from domest...

Canine enteric coronavirus (CECoV) variants have an emerging role in severe outbreaks of canine gastroenteritis. Here we used syndromic health data from a sentinel network of UK veterinary practices to identify an outbreak of severe canine gastroenteritis. Affected dogs frequently presented with vomiting, diarrhoea and inappetence. Data from sentin...

Background: Spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is the cornerstone of pharmacovigilance. Despite this, it is believed that there is significant under-reporting in the veterinary setting. Low reporting rates delay marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) and regulators taking mitigating action in the case of safety concer...

Background: Brachycephalic dogs clinically affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome have been shown to have a high incidence of gastrointestinal disease, with French Bulldogs (FBD) identified as a particularly affected breed. Methods: Clinical records of 750 brachycephalic dogs attending over 500 practices participating in the smal...

Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and management of a critically ill dog with profound renal tubular acidosis (RTA) with proximal and distal renal tubular dysfunction. Case summary: A 3-year-old neutered female Border Terrier was presented with frequent regurgitation resulting from acute pancreatitis with severe ileus. Venous acid...

Background Gastric carcinoma (GC) is uncommon in dogs, except in predisposed breeds such as Belgian Shepherd dogs (BSD) of the Tervuren and Groenendael varieties. When GC is diagnosed in dogs it is often late in the disease, resulting in a poorer prognosis. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to investigate possible associations of gastr...

Background/Introduction: In the UK veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are encouraged to report adverse events (AEs) to either the UK competent authority (the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)) or the product manufacturer by their respective Codes of Professional Conduct [1, 2]. However, there is emerging evidence of under-reporting of A...

xCancer is a major reason for veterinary consultation, especially in companion animals. Cancer surveillance plays a key role in prevention but opportunities for such surveillance in companion animals are limited by the lack of suitable veterinary population health infrastructures. In this paper we describe a pathology-based animal tumour registry (...

Grass seed foreign bodies (GSFBs) are a familiar presentation, especially in dogs, associated with a variety of clinical signs depending on site of penetration and extent of migration. Seasonality and risk factors for GSFB occurrence were investigated using electronic health records from a sentinel voluntary network of 245 veterinary practices in t...

Background: Clinical findings associated with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement in dogs and cats in primary practice, and their relevance to published measurement indications, have not been described. Methods: Using electronic health record data collected by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network, appoin...

Companion animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sporadic cases of pet infections have occurred in the United Kingdom. Here we present the first large-scale serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the UK. Results are reported for 688 sera (454 canine, 234 feline) collected by a large veterinary diag...

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally important one health threat. The impact of resistant infections on companion animals, and the potential public health implications of such infections, has not been widely explored, largely due to an absence of structured population-level data. Objectives: We aimed to efficiently capture an...

Companion animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sporadic cases of pet infections have occurred in the United Kingdom. Here we present the first large-scale serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the UK. Results are reported for 688 sera (454 canine, 234 feline) collected by a large veterinary diag...

In this study we have demonstrated the use of Word2Vec models for detecting corpus specific misspellings and synonyms. This methodology provides a useful tool in understanding how standardised terminology is expressed in SAVSNET free text clinical narratives. The inclusion of these terms in an expanded dictionary resulted in the identification of a...

Background: There is a lack of national population data concerning infectious disease in companion animals. Here, we piloted the feasibility of linking diagnostic laboratories, population surveillance and modern sequencing approaches to extract targeted diagnostic samples from laboratories before they were discarded, as a novel route to better und...

Objectives To investigate: 1. UK veterinary professionals’ understanding of the requirements for reporting ADRs 2. Past actions taken over observed ADRs and the motivations for such actions 3. Perceived barriers and facilitators to reporting Methods In order to explore the perceptions, attitudes and experiences of ADR reporting amongst veterina...

A 12‐month‐old, male neutered Rottweiler cross, weighing 34.0 kg with a 6‐month history of episodes of pyrexia, hyporexia, pollakiuria and left flank pain is described. Ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings combined with clinical signs were consistent with a left renal abscess which was treated 2 days later with a left ureteronephrectom...

Robust evidence supporting strategies for companion animal antimicrobial stewardship is limited, despite frequent prescription of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA). Here we describe a randomised controlled trial where electronic prescription data were utilised (August 2018–January 2019) to identify above average HPCIA-pre...

The lack of population health surveillance for companion animal populations leaves them vulnerable to the effects of novel diseases without means of early detection. We present evidence on the effectiveness of a system that enabled early detection and rapid response a canine gastroenteritis outbreak in the United Kingdom. In January 2020, prolific...

Robust evidence supporting antimicrobial stewardship schemes in companion animals is limited, despite frequent highest priority critically important antimicrobial (HPCIA) prescription. In this randomised controlled trial, electronic prescription data were utilised (August 2018–January 2019) to evenly assign 60 above average HPCIA-prescribing practi...

Background: Deep Learning opens up opportunities for routinely scanning large bodies of biomedical literature and clinical narratives to represent the meaning of biomedical and clinical terms. However, the validation and integration of this knowledge on a scale requires cross checking with ground truths (i.e. evidence-based resources) that are una...

Canine acute diarrhoea is frequently observed in first opinion practice, though little is known about commonly used diagnostic or therapeutic management plans, including use of antimicrobials. This retrospective observational study utilised electronic health records augmented with practitioner-completed questionnaires from 3,189 cases (3,159 dogs)...

Pharmaceutical agents (PAs) are commonly prescribed in companion animal practice in the United Kingdom. However, little is known about PA prescription on a population-level, particularly with respect to PAs authorised for human use alone prescribed via the veterinary cascade; this raises important questions regarding the efficacy and safety of PAs...

• Presentation for gastrointestinal (GI) disease comprised 2.2 per cent of cat, 3.2 per cent of dog and 2.2 per cent of rabbit consultations between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 • Diarrhoea and vomiting without blood were the most frequently reported GI disease clinical signs (34.4 and 38.9 per cent in cats and 42.8 and 37.3 per cent in dogs, r...

Background Understanding the distribution and determinants of disease in animal populations must be underpinned by knowledge of animal demographics. For companion animals, these data have been difficult to collect because of the distributed nature of the companion animal veterinary industry. Here we describe key demographic features of a large vete...

Background Serum concentration of citrulline is a useful biomarker in human intestinal disease and indicates globally reduced enterocyte mass and absorptive function in various disease states. Objectives To determine whether serum citrulline concentration is a biomarker in chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs, to provide useful information regarding o...

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse bacterial culture and susceptibility results obtained from bile and liver specimens collected from dogs and cats investigated for hepatobiliary disease at a Small Animal Teaching Hospital in the UK. Methods: Five-hundred and thirteen samples were submitted to the Microbiology Diagnostic...

• Presentation for pruritus comprised 6.5 per cent, 3.6 per cent and 2.0 per cent of canine, feline and rabbit consultations, respectively, between January 2014 and June 2016 • Topical antimicrobials were the most commonly prescribed pruritus treatments for dogs (33.6 per cent of consultations); for cats, it was systemic glucocorticoids (53.5 per c...

• Presentation for respiratory disease comprised 1.7 per cent, 2.3 per cent and 2.5 per cent of canine, feline and rabbit consultations, respectively, between January 2014 and December 2015 • Coughing was the most frequent respiratory sign reported in dogs (71.1 per cent of consultations); in cats it was sneezing (42.6 per cent) • Mean percentage o...

Objective To describe how a real-time surveillance system for early detection of gastrointestinal disease (GI) outbreaks in small animal and human health is being developed by collecting electronic health records (EHRs) from veterinary practitioners and a telephone-based 24-hour medical triage service in the UK. Introduction In human and animal hea...

Objective SAVSNET—the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network—collects and collates real-time data from veterinary diagnostic laboratories and veterinary practices across the UK to support research and disease surveillance in companion animals. Introduction Statutory veterinary disease surveillance generally focuses on food animals with only m...

This issue of Veterinary Record introduces the first UK small animal disease surveillance report from the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SA VSNET). The reports are to be published regularly in Veterinary Record, summarising recent surveillance data and providing an update on some of the diseases and syndromes discussed. This first re...

Obesity is a prevalent medical condition in dogs caused by the excess accumulation of fat, with negative effects on quality of life, longevity and the risk of developing associated pathologies. However, it is unclear how frequently first-opinion veterinarians record dogs as overweight (OW) or obese in medical records, and what factors determine whe...

Objective: To compare treatment protocols for chronic enteropathy and concurrent protein-losing enteropathy that used prednisolone in conjunction with either azathioprine or chlorambucil in dogs. Design: Retrospective case series. Animals: 27 dogs. Procedures: All dogs had hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration, < 18.0 g/L) and chronic...

The aim of this study was to determine canine breed predispositions for decreased serum folate or markedly decreased cobalamin concentrations. Retrospective analysis of samples from dogs that had serum folate and cobalamin concentrations measured, from 1990 to 2002 at the Comparative Gastroenterology Laboratory of Liverpool, were enrolled. A total...

Enzyme treatment is the mainstay for management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs. 'Enteric-coated' preparations have been developed to protect the enzyme from degradation in the stomach, but their efficacy has not been critically evaluated. The hypothesis of the current study was that enteric coating would have no effect on the ef...

Introduction Gastric ulceration is a limiting complication of therapy with cyclooxygenase (COX) antagonists, widely used anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs in both humans and dogs. COX-derived prostaglandin E (PGE) has an important role in gastric defense and cytoprotection via promotion of blood flow and mucus secretion and inhibition of gastric ac...

To identify the most frequent underlying diseases in dogs examined because of dyspnea and determine whether signalment, clinical signs, and duration of clinical signs might help guide assessment of the underlying condition and prognosis. Retrospective case series. 229 dogs with dyspnea. Case records of dogs referred for dyspnea were reviewed and gr...

A case of metastatic splenic haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma (HHS) in a 6-year-old neutered male flat-coated retriever is described. The main clinical findings were hypoalbuminaemia and regenerative anaemia. The diagnosis was based on histological features and expression of CD11d by the neoplastic cells. Tumour cells were shown to produce inter...

Computerised referral histories were reviewed for dogs admitted to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital between January 2000 and December 2008 with diarrhoea among the clinical signs. A total of 371 cases presenting to the referring veterinary surgeon were included in the study, and information was compiled regarding signalmen...

A 2-year-old 14.9-kg (32.8-lb) neutered female Shetland Sheepdog was admitted to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute collapse. At admission, the dog was tachypneic and had reduced limb reflexes and muscle tone in all limbs consistent with diffuse lower motor neuron dysfunction. The dog was severely hyp...

Background: Enzyme treatment is the mainstay for management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs. 'Enteric-coated' preparations have been developed to protect the enzyme from degradation in the stomach, but their efficacy has not been critically evaluated. The hypothesis of the current study was that enteric coating would have no effe...

To assess whether en bloc ligation of all caudal mediastinal tissue between the aorta and thoracic vertebrae will occlude all branches of the thoracic duct. Descriptive study. Canine cadavers (n=15). The cisterna chyli was approached through a right paralumbar abdominal incision and cannulated. A right 10th intercostal thoracotomy was performed and...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common feline endocrinopathies. Pancreatitis is a reported cause for poor control of DM in cats; however, its prevalence in diabetic cats is unknown. Measurement of serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) has been proposed as a sensitive and specific test for the detection of pancreatitis in...

Background:Knowledge of breed associations is valuable to clinicians and researchers investigating diseases with a genetic basis.Hypothesis:Among symptomatic dogs tested for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) by canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) assay, EPI is common in certain breeds and rare in others. Some breeds may be overreprese...

Knowledge of breed associations is valuable to clinicians and researchers investigating diseases with a genetic basis. Among symptomatic dogs tested for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) by canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) assay, EPI is common in certain breeds and rare in others. Some breeds may be overrepresented or underrepresen...

Response to therapy in canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) varies considerably, making it difficult to determine prognosis for individual patients. Response to initial treatment (RIT) and survival are affected by signalment, clinical variables, and therapeutic regimen employed. Client-owned dogs diagnosed with EPI between 1990 and 2002 w...