Age-based ultrasonographic criteria for diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish ultrasound criteria for the diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in Persian cats. METHODS: Eighty-two Persian cats were assessed using renal ultrasound and genotyped for the C→A transversion in exon 29 of PKD1. The animals were also submitted to hematological characterization, serum biochemistry analyses and urinalysis. RESULTS: Age, sex and neutering status did not differ between ADPKD (n = 12) and non-ADPKD (n = 70) cats. After integrated molecular genetics/ultrasonographic analysis, the presence of at least one renal cyst was sufficient to establish a diagnosis of ADPKD in animals up to 15 months of age. Two or more cysts were required for diagnosis in cats aged 16-32 months, and at least three cysts warranted diagnosis of ADPKD in animals aged 33-49 months. Finally, four or more cysts led to diagnosis in cats aged 50-66 months. Although cats with ADPKD exhibited higher serum calcium levels than non-affected cats, hematological, urinalysis and other biochemical parameters did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Integrated analyses of imaging and molecular genetics data enabled, for the first time, the establishment of age-based ultrasonographic criteria for the diagnosis of ADPKD in Persian cats. The development of imaging criteria is particularly relevant and useful in the clinical setting given the current limitations to access and the cost of molecular genetics-based diagnostic tests.

A closer look at the health of cats showing urinary house-soiling (periuria): a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to perform a case-control medical evaluation of cats from multi-cat households presenting with inappropriate latrining and spraying behavior. METHODS: Owners of 18 'spraying' and 23 'latrining' cats with normal control subjects available from the same households were recruited for a case-control study. Otherwise overtly healthy dyads (each dyad consisting of a case cat and a control cat) were brought together to the veterinary hospital of the University of São Paulo for a medical work-up (ie, physical examination, complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis and urine culture, abdominal ultrasound of the urinary system and in females, where possible, cystoscopy). RESULTS: Medical problems were identified with similar frequency in the 'sprayers' (38.9%), 'latriners' (39.1%) and controls of the latrining group (26.1%), but not the controls of the spraying group (5.5%). The difference between 'cases' and 'controls' from spraying households was significant. Common potential health-related changes include renal insufficiency, cystitis and bladder lithiasis. Renal calculi, higher creatinine levels (within normal reference interval) and 'glomerulations' (detected during cystoscopy) were also found in the remaining sprayers and latriners that were considered clinically healthy. Post-cystoscopy, a new form of periuria occurred in two cats (one sprayer and one latriner). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results indicate that spraying or latrining behavior in the home, as well as living with a cat that is not using the litter box as a latrine, are all associated with a higher level of urinary tract abnormalities; living with a cat that is spraying, however, does not have this association. The findings also suggest that both forms of periuria might be associated with interstitial cystitis. We therefore conclude that all cats with periuria need to be carefully evaluated medically and that treatment of latrine-related problems should consider all cats in the house, whereas spraying may be more focused on the individual displaying the problem.

Sensibilidade e especificidade do exame eletrocardiográfico na detecção de sobrecargas atriais e/ou ventriculares em gatos da raça Persa com cardiomiopatia hipertrófica / Sensitivity and specificity of electrocardiographic examination in detecting ventricular or atrial overloads in Persian cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) é a principal cardiopatia dos felinos e é caracterizada por hipertrofia miocárdica concêntrica, sem dilatação ventricular. O ecocardiograma é o melhor meio diagnóstico não invasivo para a diferenciação das cardiomiopatias e é considerado padrão ouro para a detecção de hipertrofia ventricular presente na CMH. Alterações eletrocardiográficas também são comuns em animais com CMH e o eletrocardiograma (ECG) é um teste de triagem para detecção de hipertrofia ventricular em humanos, sendo um exame rápido e facilmente disponível. Em gatos, poucos estudos foram realizados quanto à sensibilidade e especificidade do ECG na detecção de hipertrofia ventricular. Com a intenção de avaliar o uso do ECG como ferramenta de triagem para diagnóstico de CMH em felinos, gatos da raça Persa (n=82) foram avaliados por meio de exames ecocardiográfico e eletrocardiográfico. Animais com bloqueios e/ou distúrbios de condução foram excluídos da análise estatística (n=22). Posteriormente, os animais incluídos foram classificados em: normais (n=38), suspeitos (n=6) e acometidos pela CMH (n=16)...

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common feline heart disease and is characterized by increased cardiac mass with a hypertrophied and not dilated left ventricle. The echocardiography is the best noninvasive diagnostic tool for the differentiation of cardiomyopathies and is considered the gold standard for detection of ventricular hypertrophy present in HCM. Electrocardiographic changes are also common in animals with HCM and the electrocardiogram (ECG) is quick, easy and highly available screening test for the detection of ventricular hypertrophy in humans. In cats, few studies have been conducted regarding the sensitivity and specificity of ECG in detecting ventricular hypertrophy. With the intention of evaluating the use of ECG as a screening tool for diagnosis of HCM in cats, Persian cats (n=82) were evaluated by echocardiographic and electrocardiographic examinations. Animals with blocks and/or conduction disturbances were excluded from statistical analysis (n=22). Subsequently the animals included were classified as normal (n=38), suspicious (n=6) and affected by HCM (n=16)...

Estudo da ocorrência de litíase renal e ureteral em gatos com doença renal crônica / Study of nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis in cats with chronic kidney disease

Investigou-se a ocorrência de nefrolitíase e/ou ureterolitíase em 72 gatos portadores de doença renal crônica (DRC), classificados predominantemente no estágio II, segundo os critérios designados pela IRIS - International Renal Interest Society. Destes pacientes, 47 (65,27por cento) apresentaram litíase renal e ou ureteral. Não houve diferença estatística entre o grupo de estudo (DRC com cálculo) e o grupo controle (DRC sem cálculo) em relação à idade (p=0,274). Apesar disso, os pacientes portadores de nefrolitíase e/ou ureterolitíase apresentaram maiores indícios de lesão renal, caracterizados por diferenças estatisticamente relevantes da densidade urinária (p=0,013) e pelo menor tamanho dos rins direito (p=0,009) e esquerdo (p=0,048). Encontrou-se similaridade entre os grupos em relação a outros parâmetros, tais como as concentrações plasmáticas de cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, fósforo, sódio, potássio e paratormônio intacto (PTHi). Os valores das concentrações séricas de ureia e bicarbonato diferiram entre os grupos, com valores de p=0,039 e p=0,037, respectivamente. Além disso, foi mensurada a pressão arterial, que se manteve inalterada na comparação entre o grupo de estudo e o grupo controle. Os resultados obtidos reforçam a necessidade de acompanhamento ultrassonográfico de todos os pacientes portadores de DRC, mesmo daqueles assintomáticos ou em estágios iniciais da doença.

Nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis were investigated by means of ultrasonography in 72 cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), predominantly classified in stage II, according to IRIS - International Renal Interest Society criteria. Of these patients, 47 (65.27 percent) had nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis. There was no statistical difference between the study group (CKD with calculi) and control group (CKD without calculi) regarding age (p=0.274). Nevertheless, patients with nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis had greater evidence of renal injury, characterized by statistically significant differences in the urinary density (p=0.013) and the smaller size of the right kidney (p=0.009) and left kidney (p=0.048), measured in the longitudinal plane. There were no difference between groups in the other parameters investigated such as plasmatic total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations. The values of serum urea and bicarbonate differ between groups with p=0.039 and p=0.037, respectively. Furthermore, arterial blood pressure was measured, remaining unchanged between the groups. One can conclude that nephrolithiasis and/or ureterolithiasis are common findings in cats with CKD and these results reinforce the need to perform image investigation in cats with CKD even in the asymptomatic ones, or those in the early stages of the disease.