Retrospective analysis of risk factors, clinical features, and prognostic indicators for urolithiasis in guinea pigs: 158 cases (2009-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors, clinical features, and prognostic indicators in guinea pigs with urolithiasis. ANIMALS: 158 guinea pigs with urolithiasis. PROCEDURES: Medical records of an exotics animal specialty service were searched, identifying guinea pigs with urolithiasis. Signalment, clinical data, and outcomes were recorded. Variables of interest were analyzed for statistical associations with outcome. RESULTS: Overall, 54.4% (86/158) of animals survived to discharge. Median survival time was 177 days. Females (53.2%; 84/158) were more common than males (46.8%; 74/158). Males were presented younger (mean age, 3.64 years) than females (4.41 years). In 81 of 154 (52.5%) cases, animals were presented with primary urinary concerns, while 73 (47.5%) presented for nonurinary primary concerns. Females more commonly presented with distal urinary tract urolithiasis (63/84; 75%) but fared better overall with a longer median survival time (1,149 days) than males (59 days). Surgical intervention was not a risk factor for nonsurvival; however, increased age (> 4.1 years), male sex, anorexia, weight loss, and lower rectal temperature (< 37.2 °C) on presentation were associated with nonsurvival. Reoccurrence was noted in 13.9% (22/158) of cases, at an average of 284 days. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urolithiasis should always be considered a differential diagnosis for any unwell guinea pig. In particular, distal urinary tract urolithiasis should be considered in females. A poorer prognosis was associated with older, male guinea pigs, and those displaying anorexia, weight loss, and hypothermia. The need for surgical intervention should not confer a poorer outcome. Further studies are needed to determine specific risk factors and identify possible preventative measures.

Retrospective comparison of three antivenoms for the treatment of dogs with crotalid envenomation.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare clinical outcomes associated with 3 commercially available antivenom products (2 F[ab']2 products and 1 IgG product) in dogs with crotalid envenomation. ANIMALS: 282 dogs with evidence of crotalid envenomation treated with antivenom at a single high-volume private emergency facility in southwestern Arizona from 2014 to 2018. PROCEDURES: Data were collected on all dogs regarding signalment, coagulation test results, snakebite characteristics, type and number of units of antivenom received (1 of 3 products), survival to hospital discharge (yes or no), and complications following discharge. Survival rates and other variables were compared among antivenoms by means of bivariable analyses. RESULTS: 271 of 282 (96.1%) dogs survived to discharge; 11 (3.9%) were euthanized or died in the hospital. No significant difference in survival rates was found among the 3 antivenom products. Infusion reaction rates were higher for the IgG product than for each F(ab')2 product. A higher percentage of dogs treated with the IgG product (vs either F[ab']2 product) received only 1 unit of antivenom. Variables associated with a lower probability of survival included older age and lower body weight, thoracic (vs other) location of snakebites, and presence of an antivenom infusion reaction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Given that survival rates were high for all 3 antivenom products, clinicians may consider other factors when selecting an antivenom, such as preference for a fractionated versus whole immunoglobulin product, risk of infusion reaction, cost, shelf life, availability, ease of use and administration, species of crotalids used for antivenom production, approval by federal regulatory bodies, and clinical preference.