A longitudinal study of the blood and urine metabolome of Vipera berus envenomated dogs.

Envenomation of dogs by the common European adder (Vipera berus) is associated with high morbidity. The cytotoxic venom of Vipera berus contains enzymes with the potential to cause acute kidney injury, among other insults, however robust biomarkers for such effects are lacking. A prospective observational follow-up study of naturally envenomated dogs and controls was conducted to fill knowledge gaps regarding canine Vipera berus envenomation, attempt to identify novel biomarkers of envenomation and related kidney injury, and elucidate potential long-term effects. Blood and urine samples were analyzed with a global metabolomics approach using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, uncovering numerous features significantly different between cases and controls. After data processing and feature annotation, eight features in blood and 24 features in urine were investigated in order to elucidate their biological relevance. Several of these are associated with AKI, while some may also originate from disturbed fatty acid ß-oxidation and soft tissue damage. A metabolite found in both blood and a venom reference sample may represent identification of a venom component in case dogs. Our findings suggest that envenomated dogs treated according to current best practice are unlikely to suffer permanent injury.

Retrospective interview-based long-term follow-up study of cats diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis in 2003-2009.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to register long-term recurrence rates and mortality rates in cats diagnosed with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), with an observation period until death or a minimum of 10 years. METHODS: Data regarding recurrence of signs of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and FLUTD-related mortality in cats diagnosed with FIC between 2003 and 2009 were obtained through structured telephone interviews with the cat owners from December 2018 until February 2019. The interviews were based on a standardised questionnaire covering whether the cat was still alive or not, whether death/euthanasia were due to FLUTD and whether the cat had experienced recurrent episodes of clinical signs of FLUTD. If recurrences had occurred, exact numbers or estimates of 1-3, 4-6 or >6 recurrences were recorded. RESULTS: The owners of 50/105 FIC cats included in a previous study (48%) were available for inclusion in the present study. At the time of the interview, only 6/50 cats (12%) were still alive. The FLUTD-related mortality rate was 20% (n = 10/50). Twenty-three cats (46%) had no recurrences, three cats (6%) were euthanased shortly after diagnosis, nine cats (18%) had 1-3 recurrences, three cats (6%) had 4-6 recurrences and six cats (12%) had >6 recurrences. For the remaining six cats, the number of recurrences was uncertain. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The long-term prognosis for cats diagnosed with FIC may, based on the results from the present study, be regarded as fairly good, as approximately 70% of the cats either recovered without additional episodes, experienced only a few recurrences, are still alive after a minimum of 10 years since inclusion in the study, or were euthanased for reasons unrelated to FLUTD.

Recurrent episodes of feline lower urinary tract disease with different causes: possible clinical implications.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: While descriptions of cats with recurrent episodes of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) exist, little is published on cats with recurrent episodes of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) where the cat is diagnosed with different causes of FLUTD at separate episodes. In the present paper, six cats, originally part of larger studies of FLUTD among Norwegian cats, are described. In the project period (2003-2009), these cats had several episodes of FLUTD. At each episode, the cats had a complete physical examination, abdominal imaging, blood work, urinalysis and urine culture performed. Two of the cats initially presented with urolithiasis and subsequently with episodes of non-obstructed FIC. Four of the cats presented with non-obstructed FIC at one or more episodes, but were later diagnosed with urolithiasis or bacterial cystitis without prior catheterisation or other known predisposing factors. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Cats with recurrent episodes of FLUTD may present with different causes at different times. The need to thoroughly work-up cats with recurrent episodes of FLUTD at each presentation is emphasised. FIC may be considered as a predisposing factor in cats developing urolithiasis or bacterial cystitis; alternatively, interrelated FLUTD disease mechanisms exists. Thus, applying multimodal environmental enrichment and modification (MEMO) to cats with signs of FLUTD independent of diagnosis should be considered.

Risk factors for idiopathic cystitis in Norwegian cats: a matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare a group of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) with a group of control cats without present or previous signs of lower urinary tract disease in order to identify factors in characteristics, personality, behaviour, environment and daily life that would make them more susceptible to the disease. METHODS: The study was a matched case-control study comparing results from telephone interviews based on a standardised questionnaire. The questions were organised into six subject groups: the characteristics of the cat; the cat's environment; the presence of other pets in the household; the cat's feeding and drinking regime; management of the cat's litter box; and the cat's opportunity to perform natural behaviour. RESULTS: The results from the present study showed that a cat diagnosed with FIC was more likely to be overweight and to be of a nervous disposition than the control cats. In addition, several differences between cases and controls were detected at a univariable level of analysis, related to outdoor access and the cats' perceived safety and comfort in their home environments. While not significant after multivariable analysis, these variables may still be of importance owing to potential interrelations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Several significant differences between cats with FIC and control cats were revealed, and the results support the hypothesis of environmental stress as being a potential factor in the development of FIC.

Adverse reactions to equine-derived F(ab')2 -antivenin in 54 dogs envenomated by Vipera berus berus.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence of acute and delayed adverse reactions following the administration of an equine-derived F(ab')2 -antivenin in dogs with Vipera berus berus envenomation. DESIGN: Prospective study (2006-2009). SETTING: Private small animal clinics and university small animal teaching hospital in Norway. ANIMALS: Fifty-four dogs with Vipera berus berus envenomation treated with F(ab')2 -antivenin. INTERVENTIONS: Administration of equine-derived antivenin for treatment of Vipera berus berus envenomation in dogs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Acute adverse reactions to antivenin administration occurred in 4/54 dogs (7%), and facial swelling occurred in 2/54 dogs (4%), sudden respiratory distress in 1 dog, and vomiting occurred in 1 dog. The adverse reactions were self-limiting in 3 of the dogs, while 1 dog was treated with corticosteroids to reduce the facial swelling that occurred during administration of antivenin. No delayed adverse reactions believed to be associated with the antivenin administration were noted. CONCLUSIONS: An occurrence of adverse effects comparable to the numbers reported in human medicine (10%) should be expected when administering F(ab')2 -antivenin to dogs with Vipera berus berus envenomation. The results are also comparable with rates of adverse effects reported with antivenin administration for crotalid-envenomated dogs. Further research is required to determine whether there is a relationship between adverse and the number of vials administered or repeated use in the same patient.

Bacteriuria in cats with feline lower urinary tract disease: a clinical study of 134 cases in Norway.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is considered to be one of the most common diagnoses in feline patients. Several authors have concluded that feline idiopathic cystitis is the most common cause of FLUTD, whereas infectious cystitis is diagnosed in only 2% of the cases. In the period from January 2003 to February 2005, 134 cats that presented with signs of lower urinary tract disorders were included in a study at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Ninety-seven percent were first opinion cases. All the cats went through a physical examination, and blood samples were collected for haematology and clinical chemistry. The urine analysis included urine stix, specific gravity, microscopic examination of the sediment and microbiological culturing. The urine samples were collected as voided mid-stream urine samples, by catheter or by cystocentesis and the method used was registered. Of the 134 cats included in the study, 37% were diagnosed as having obstructive and 63% as having non-obstructive FLUTD. In total 44 cats (33%) were diagnosed with bacteriuria, exceeding 10(3) colony forming units per millilitre (cfu/ml) and 33 (25%) of these cats had bacterial growth exceeding 10(4) cfu/ml, either alone or in combination with crystals and/or uroliths. Six cats (18%) with bacterial growth exceeding 10(4) cfu/ml were older than 8 years. No significant difference was found between the sampling methods performed with regard to bacteriuria. This study indicates that bacteriuria may have been underdiagnosed in Norwegian cats with clinical signs of FLUTD. It also confirms the importance of microbiological culturing in first opinion cases with FLUTD and that a skilled operator can get representative samples regardless the choice of method.