ACVIM consensus statement on diagnosis and management of urinary incontinence in dogs.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a disorder of micturition that can occur in dogs of any age, sex, and breed depending on the underlying cause and time of onset. Diagnosis and treatment for various causes of UI in dogs have been described by multiple comprehensive single author review articles, but large prospective clinical trials comparing treatment outcomes in veterinary medicine are lacking. The objectives of this consensus statement therefore are to provide guidelines on both recommended diagnostic testing and treatment for various causes of UI in dogs. Specifically, pathophysiology directly related to the canine urinary system will be reviewed and diagnostic and therapeutic challenges will be addressed. A panel of 12 experts in the field (8 small animal internists [L. Adams, J. Bartges, A. Berent, J. Byron, J. Foster, A. Kendall, S. Vaden, J. Westropp], 2 neurologists [J. Coates, N. Olby], 1 radiologist [G. Oetelaar], and 1 surgeon [C. Adin]) was formed to assess and summarize evidence in the peer-reviewed literature and to complement it with consensus recommendations using the Delphi method. Some statements were not voted on by all panelists. This consensus statement aims to provide guidance for management of both male and female dogs with underlying storage or voiding disorders resulting in UI.

Uroliths composed of antiviral compound GS-441524 in 2 cats undergoing treatment for feline infectious peritonitis.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) historically has been a fatal disease in cats. Recent unlicensed use of antiviral medication has been shown to markedly improve survival of this infection. An 8-month-old female spayed domestic short-haired cat undergoing treatment for presumptive FIP with the antiviral nucleoside analog GS-441524 developed acute progressive azotemia. Abdominal ultrasound examination identified multifocal urolithiasis including renal, ureteral, and cystic calculi. Unilateral ureteral obstruction progressed to suspected bilateral ureteral obstruction and subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) was performed along with urolith removal and submission for analysis. A 2-year-old male neutered domestic medium-haired cat undergoing treatment for confirmed FIP with GS-441524 developed dysuria (weak urine stream, urinary incontinence, and difficulty expressing the urinary bladder). This cat also was diagnosed sonographically with multifocal urolithiasis requiring temporary tube cystostomy after cystotomy and urolith removal. In both cases, initial urolith analysis showed unidentified material. Additional testing confirmed the calculi in both cats to be 98% consistent with GS-441524. Additional clinical studies are required to determine best screening practices for cats presented for urolithiasis during treatment with GS-441524.

Cryopreserved platelet concentrate transfusions in 43 dogs: a retrospective study (2007-2013).

OBJECTIVE: To clinically characterize a group of thrombocytopenic dogs that received cryopreserved platelet concentrate (cPC) transfusion, assess efficacy of cPC treatment in improving patient outcome, and compare treated dogs to a control population of thrombocytopenic dogs that did not receive cPC transfusions. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Eighty-six client-owned dogs (43 in treatment group, 43 in control group). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical records of thrombocytopenic dogs that received cPC transfusions and those of thrombocytopenic dogs that did not receive cPC (control population) from January 2007 through March 2013 were reviewed. Dogs receiving cPC were statistically more likely than controls to have a platelet trigger for cPC transfusion (P = 0.01), lower platelet count (P = 0.009) and hematocrit at presentation (P = 0.001), and lower hematocrit after cPC (P = 0.02). Although there was a statistically significant increase in platelet count from pre- to post-cPC transfusion (P = 0.002), cPC was not found to be effective in improving clinical bleeding or increasing survival compared to the control group. No other characteristics were statistically different between groups. No dogs receiving cPC had an acute transfusion reaction during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In the population described in this study, cPC was not found to increase survival, but was well tolerated. Controlled, prospective studies are necessary to determine indications for and efficacy of cPC transfusions.

AAHA canine life stage guidelines.

Guidelines are offered to guide the veterinary practitioner in designing a comprehensive, individualized wellness plan for each stage of a dog's life. Life stages are defined by both age and breed characteristics for practical purposes. Each patient visit should use an individualized approach to patient handling, preventive care, and early disease detection. Environment, behavior, nutrition, parasite control, vaccinations, dental care, zoonotic disease control, safety, and reproductive health should be addressed.

Monoethylglycinexylidide and lidocaine determination in porcine microsomal preparations.

A simple, accurate, and sensitive HPLC analysis of monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and lidocaine in porcine microsome samples is described. Lidocaine and MEGX were measured by direct injection after the addition of the internal standard. Chromatography was performed on a muBondapak C(18) column using an isocratic mobile phase of 0.03 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate:acetonitrile (87:13), pH 5.9. UV absorbance was measured at 205 nm. The procedure produced linear curves for the concentration range 50-1000 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 10 ng/mL. Recoveries for both compounds were greater than 90%. This assay produced accurate and repeatable results.

Determination of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone and chlorzoxazone in porcine microsome samples.

A simple, accurate and sensitive HPLC method for the in vitro determination of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone and chlorzoxazone in porcine microsome samples is described. Chromatography was performed on a YMC-Pack ODS-AQ column using a mobile phase of 0.05% phosphoric acid pH 3-methanol (60:40, v/v). UV detection was carried out at 287 nm. The detector response was linear over the concentration range 25-2000 ng/ml. This assay produced quick, accurate, and repeatable results.