Comparison of percutaneous cystolithotomy and open cystotomy for removal of urethral and bladder uroliths in dogs: Retrospective study of 81 cases (2014-2018).

OBJECTIVE: Compare percutaneous cystolithotomy (PCCL) and open cystotomy (OC) for removal of bladder and urethral uroliths. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs and cats that underwent PCCL (n = 41) or OC (n = 40) between January 1, 2014 and February 28, 2018 at a referral center. METHODS: Medical records of dogs and cats that underwent a PCCL or an OC were reviewed. History, signalment, physical examination, diagnostic tests, length of the procedure and anesthesia, complications, and duration of hospitalization were recorded. RESULTS: A total 17 cats (PCCL = 10; OC = 7) and 64 dogs (PCCL = 31; OC = 33) were included. There was no significant difference, regardless of species, in the mean surgical time (45 min [24-160 min] and 48.5 min [15-122 min] with P = .54 in dogs, P = .65 in cats) nor mean duration of anesthesia (90 min [50-120 min] and 98 min [54-223 min] with P = .87 in dogs, P = .08 in cats) in the PCCL and OC groups respectively. Number of uroliths did not affect duration of surgery in either group. Complete urolith removal was achieved in 98% of dogs and cats in both groups. The median hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the PCCL group for dogs (11.3 hours [range 4 to 51.3] in the PCCL vs 56.6 hours [range 7.3 to 96] in the OC group; P < .001) but did not differ for cats (24.5 hours [range 8.3 to 30] in the PCCL vs 56.6 hours [range 10.1 to 193.2] in the OC group; P = .08). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bladder urolith removal by PCCL procedure is no longer than OC. Further studies are needed to compare the pain related to procedure between PCCL and OC.

Multicenter retrospective evaluation of transmural migration of subcutaneous ureteral bypass devices within the digestive tract in cats.

BACKGROUND: Placement of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device is an effective method to relieve all causes of ureteral obstruction in cats. Complications involving migration within the gastrointestinal tract have been seldomly described. OBJECTIVES: To characterize transmural migration of SUB devices within the digestive tract in cats. ANIMALS: Eleven migrated SUB catheters identified in 8 cats between 2017 and 2021. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of cats with a SUB device in which migration into the gastrointestinal tract was identified. RESULTS: The median time from SUB device placement to implant migration was 928 days (201-2298 days). Seven cats had obstruction of the SUB device and a positive urine culture at diagnosis. The migration was identified by ultrasound in 6/11, pre-operative contrast radiography in 2/2, and only at time of surgery in 3 SUB devices. All cats underwent surgical correction. Four nephrostomy and 7 cystotomy catheters migrated. Migration occurred into the duodenum (3/11), jejunum (7/11), and colon (1/11). SUB devices were removed in 7 cats and replaced in 2 cats, with 1 cat diagnosed with 2 migration events. Gastrointestinal resection and anastomosis were performed in 7/8 cats and an enterotomy in 2 cats. Six cats survived to discharge. The median follow-up time after migration diagnosis was 365 days (range, 0-1114 days) and 2 cats are still alive. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although a rare complication, migration of SUB device should be considered in cats with SUB device obstruction and a positive urine culture.

Treatment of proteinuria in dogs with telmisartan: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Use of telmisartan for the treatment of proteinuria in dogs has not been thoroughly investigated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Telmisartan can be effective for the treatment of proteinuria in dogs. ANIMALS: Forty-four client-owned dogs with proteinuria. METHODS: Retrospective study. Dogs diagnosed with clinically relevant proteinuria (nonazotemic dogs with a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio [UPC] ≥2 and azotemic dogs with UPC ≥0.5) were separated into 3 groups: telmisartan alone, with benazepril, or with mycophenolate. The UPC was recorded before treatment and at subsequent follow-ups (1, 3, 6, and 12 months, as available). Response to treatment was categorized as complete (UPC ˂0.5), partial (UPC decreased by ≥50% but still ≥0.5), or no response (UPC decreased by <50%). Serum creatinine and potassium concentrations and arterial pressure also were recorded. RESULTS: In the telmisartan group, treatment response (UPC ˂0.5 or decreased by ≥50%) was observed in 70%, 68%, 80%, and 60% of dogs at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up, respectively. No significant changes were noted in serum creatinine or potassium concentrations, or in arterial blood pressure at all follow-up times. Adverse effects consisted of mild self-limiting gastrointestinal signs in 5 dogs. Two dogs developed clinically relevant azotemia that required discontinuation of the treatment before the first follow-up. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Telmisartan can be considered for treatment of proteinuria in dogs, alone or in combination with other treatments for proteinuria.

Effect of cardiac and respiratory cycles on vertebral heart score measured on fluoroscopic images of healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the variability in vertebral heart score (VHS) measurement induced by cardiac and respiratory cycles in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 14 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: Dogs underwent fluoroscopic examination by 4 observers, and VHS was measured at end-tidal inspiration and end-tidal expiration during end systole and end diastole in left and right lateral recumbency. Mean VHS was compared within and among cardiac and respiratory phases and recumbency type, and correlation between VHS and heart rate was investigated. Interobserver variability was assessed. RESULTS: Mean VHS for each combination of respiratory and cardiac cycle was larger on images obtained in right lateral versus left lateral recumbency. The greatest differences were observed between VHS measured in the diastolic inspiratory phase (mean ± SD, 10.59 ± 0.49 vertebral units [VU] and 10.35 ± 0.50 VU for right and left lateral recumbency, respectively) and the systolic expiratory phase (10.11 ± 0.37 VU and 9.92 ± 0.50 VU for right and left lateral recumbency, respectively). The combination of respiratory and cardiac cycles induced a maximal difference in VHS of up to 0.97 VU and 1.11 VU in the inspiratory and expiratory phases, respectively. Heart rate was not correlated with the difference between VHS in systolic and diastolic phases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should be aware of the potential influence of these factors when assessing VHS in dogs; in addition to allowing optimal pulmonary assessment, consistently taking radiographs at end-inspiratory tidal volume may help to limit VHS variability attributable to the respiratory cycle. Further research is needed to assess the effects of cardiac and respiratory phases on VHS in dogs with cardiac or respiratory disease.

Cryptococcal nasopharyngeal polypoid mass in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: An indoor 9-year-old castrated male domestic cat was referred with a 4 month history of increased upper airway noise. Computed tomography revealed a nasopharyngeal polypoid mass, which was removed endoscopically with basket forceps. Histopathology was compatible with a polypoid granulomatous pharyngitis with Cryptococcus-like organisms. This was supported by a positive serum latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test (LCAT). Minimal inflammation of the nasal tissue was noted on histopathology, with no evidence of fungus. Following endoscopic removal of the mass, the patient was treated with systemic antifungal medication (itraconazole). One year after diagnosis, the LCAT titer was negative and the cat remained free of clinical signs. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This case report emphasizes the importance of considering Cryptococcus species as a potential etiology in cats presented with signs of nasopharyngeal obstruction with an isolated nasopharyngeal polypoid mass, even if kept indoors.

Comparison of peak flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract and effective orifice area indexed to body surface area in Golden Retriever puppies to predict development of subaortic stenosis in adult dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of Doppler-derived peak flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT Vmax) and effective orifice area indexed to body surface area (EOAi) in puppies to predict development of subaortic stenosis (SAS) in the same dogs as adults. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, observational study. ANIMALS: 38 Golden Retrievers. PROCEDURES: Cardiac auscultation and echocardiography were performed on 2- to 6-month-old puppies, then repeated at 12 to 18 months. Subaortic stenosis was diagnosed when LVOT Vmax was ≥ 2.3 m/s in adult dogs with left basilar systolic murmurs. RESULTS: All puppies with EOAi < 1.46 cm(2)/m(2) had SAS as adults. All adults with EOAi < 1.29 cm(2)/m(2) had SAS. An LVOT Vmax > 2.3 m/s in puppyhood was 63% sensitive and 100% specific for SAS in adulthood. In puppies, LVOT Vmax was more strongly associated with a future diagnosis of SAS (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89) than was EOAi (AUC, 0.80). In puppies, the combination of LVOT Vmax and EOAi yielded slightly higher sensitivity (69%) and specificity (100%) for adult SAS than did LVOT Vmax alone. In unaffected and affected dogs, LVOT Vmax increased significantly from puppyhood to adulthood but EOAi did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In Golden Retriever puppies, LVOT Vmax > 2.3 m/s and EOAi < 1.46 cm(2)/m(2) were both associated with a diagnosis of SAS at adulthood. The combination of these 2 criteria may result in higher sensitivity for SAS screening. Unlike LVOT Vmax, EOAi did not change during growth in either unaffected Golden Retrievers or those with SAS.

Ileocecocolic volvulus in a German shepherd dog.

This report describes an ileocecocolic volvulus in a German shepherd dog with risk factors of previous abdominal surgeries and concurrent chronic enteropathy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reformatting was more sensitive than abdominal radiographs or ultrasound to obtain a diagnosis, because of the presence of a "whirl-sign" on CT. A combination of colopexy and cecopexy was succesfully used to treat the patient's condition.

Volvulus iléo-caeco-colique chez un Berger Allemand. Ce rapport de cas décrit un volvulus iléo-caeco-colique chez un Berger allemand ayant différents facteurs de risque incluant des chirurgies abdominales préalables à sa présentation et une entéropathie chronique. L'observation d'un 'whirl-sign' lors des reconstructions de l'examen tomodensitométrique a permis d'obtenir le diagnostic de volvulus et s'est révélé dans ce cas être plus sensible que les examens d'imagerie usuels, soit la radiographie ou l'échographie abdominale. Le traitement chirurgical a été effectué avec succès grâce à la combinaison d'une cecopexie et d'une colopexie.(Traduit par les auteurs).