Preoperative parameters (signalment, digital radiography, urinalysis, urine microbiological culture) and novel algorithm improve prediction of canine urocystolith composition.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of 4 preoperative parameters (signalment, urinalysis, urine microbiological culture, and digital radiography) in predicting urocystolith composition, compare accuracy between evaluators of varying clinical experience and a mobile application, and propose a novel algorithm to improve accuracy. ANIMALS: 175 client-owned dogs with quantitative analyses of urocystoliths between January 1, 2012, and July 31, 2020. METHODS: Prospective experimental study. Canine urocystolith cases were randomly presented to 6 blinded "stone evaluators" (rotating interns, radiologists, internists) in 3 rounds, each separated by 2 weeks: case data alone, case data with a urolith teaching lecture, and case data with a novel algorithm. Case data were also entered into the Minnesota Urolith Center mobile application. Prediction accuracy was determined by comparison to quantitative laboratory stone analysis results. RESULTS: Prediction accuracy of evaluators varied with experience when shown case data alone (accuracy, 57% to 82%) but improved with a teaching lecture (accuracy, 76% to 89%) and further improved with a novel algorithm (accuracy, 93% to 96%). Mixed stone compositions were the most incorrectly predicted type. Mobile application accuracy was 74%. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the 4 preoperative parameters resulted in variable accuracy of urocystolith composition predictions among evaluators. The proposed novel algorithm improves accuracy for all clinicians, surpassing accuracy of the mobile application, and may help guide patient management.

Iliopsoas strain demographics, concurrent injuries, and grade determined by musculoskeletal ultrasound in 72 agility dogs.

The objective of this study was to describe patient demographics associated with iliopsoas strains, frequency of common concurrent injuries, and associated strain grades based on musculoskeletal ultrasound. The medical records of 72 client-owned agility dogs that had an iliopsoas musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Analyses included patient signalment, physical examination, and diagnostic findings. Twenty-four breeds of canine athletes from 1.5 to 10 y old (median: 5 y, SD: 2.2 y) were included in the study. Of the 72 records reviewed, border collies were the most common breed (27.8%, 20/72) reported. Isolated iliopsoas strains occurred in 26.4% (19/72) of cases. Concurrent pathology was noted in 73.6% (53/72) of cases. Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) instability was the most common concurrent pathology, representing 27.8% (20/72) of all cases, with hip (8.3%, 6/72), lumbosacral (23.6%, 17/72), other non-CCL hind limb (6.9%, 5/72), and forelimb (6.9%, 5/72) pathologies making up the remainder of cases with concurrent pathology. In patients with a concurrent hind limb injury, 96.7% (30/31) of dogs had their most severe iliopsoas strain grade on the same limb. MSK-US revealed Grade I strains in 54.2%, Grade II strains in 22.2%, Grade III strains in 5.2%, and chronic changes in 18.1% of cases. There were no statistically significant associations between iliopsoas strain grade and age, body weight, sex, breed, concurrent pathology, anatomic location of concurrent pathology, or sidedness of concurrent pathology. Iliopsoas strains are one of the most common agility dog injuries; however, patient demographics, prevalence of concurrent injury and correlation with MSK-US findings have not been previously reported. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first retrospective analysis reporting iliopsoas strain demographics, concurrent injury frequency and correlation with MSK-US evaluation in agility dogs. Although 26.4% of iliopsoas strains occurred as isolated injuries, 73.6% had concurrent injuries, with CCL instability present most commonly, occurring in 27.8% of cases. Dogs should be thoroughly evaluated for concurrent injuries when presenting with an iliopsoas strain.

L'objectif était de décrire les données démographiques des patients associées aux douleurs de l'iliopsoas, la fréquence des blessures concomitantes courantes et les degrés de douleur associés sur la base d'une échographie musculosquelettique.Les dossiers médicaux de 72 chiens d'agilité appartenant à des clients qui ont subi une échographie musculosquelettique de l'iliopsoas (MSK-US) entre 2009 et 2015 ont été examinés rétrospectivement. L'analyse comprenait le signalement du patient, l'examen physique et les résultats de diagnostic.Vingt-quatre races d'athlètes canins âgés de 1,5 à 10 ans (médiane 5, SD 2,2) ont été incluses dans l'étude. Sur les 72 enregistrements examinés, les border collies étaient la race la plus fréquemment signalée (27,8 %, 20/72). Des douleurs isolées du psoas iliaque sont survenues dans 26,4 % (19/72) des cas. Une pathologie concomitante était notée dans 73,6 % (53/72) des cas. L'instabilité du ligament croisé crânien (CCL) était la pathologie concomitante la plus fréquente, représentant 27,8 % (20/72) de tous les cas, avec hanche (8,3 %, 6/72), lombo-sacrée (23,6 %, 17/72), autres pathologies des membres postérieurs du CCL (6,9 %, 5/72) et des membres antérieurs (6,9 %, 5/72) constituent le reste des cas avec une pathologie concomitante. Chez les patients présentant une lésion concomitante du membre postérieur, 96,7 % (30/31) des chiens présentaient leur degré de douleur de l'iliopsoas le plus grave sur le même membre. MSK-US a révélé des douleurs de grade I dans 54,2 %, des douleurs de grade II dans 22,2 %, des douleurs de grade III dans 5,2 % et des modifications chroniques dans 18,1 % des cas. Aucune association statistiquement significative n'a été trouvée entre le degré de douleur de l'iliopsoas et l'âge, le poids corporel, le sexe, la race, la pathologie concomitante, la localisation anatomique de la pathologie concomitante ou le caractère latéral de la pathologie concomitante.Les douleurs d'iliopsoas sont l'une des blessures les plus courantes chez les chiens d'agilité; cependant, la démographie des patients, la prévalence des blessures concomitantes et la corrélation avec les résultats MSK-US n'ont pas été rapportées auparavant. À la connaissance de l'auteur, il s'agit de la première analyse rétrospective faisant état de la démographie de la douleur de l'iliopsoas, de la fréquence des blessures concomitantes et de la corrélation avec l'évaluation MSK-US chez les chiens d'agilité. Bien que 26,4 % des douleurs de l'iliopsoas se soient produites sous forme de blessures isolées, 73,6 % avaient des blessures concomitantes. L'instabilité du CCL était présente le plus souvent, survenant dans 27,8 % des cas.Les chiens doivent être soigneusement évalués pour les blessures concomitantes lorsqu'ils présentent une douleur de l'iliopsoas.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Complex Feline Disease Mapping Using a Dense Genotyping Array.

The current feline genotyping array of 63 k single nucleotide polymorphisms has proven its utility for mapping within breeds, and its use has led to the identification of variants associated with Mendelian traits in purebred cats. However, compared to single gene disorders, association studies of complex diseases, especially with the inclusion of random bred cats with relatively low linkage disequilibrium, require a denser genotyping array and an increased sample size to provide statistically significant associations. Here, we undertook a multi-breed study of 1,122 cats, most of which were admitted and phenotyped for nine common complex feline diseases at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Using a proprietary 340 k single nucleotide polymorphism mapping array, we identified significant genome-wide associations with hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis. These results provide genomic locations for variant discovery and candidate gene screening for these important complex feline diseases, which are relevant not only to feline health, but also to the development of disease models for comparative studies.

Decortication, thoracic omentalization, and pericardiectomy for treatment of severe fibrosing pleuritis in a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of an acute onset of dyspnea and open-mouthed breathing. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Thoracic radiography revealed pleural effusion and signs consistent with restrictive pleuritis, and results of preoperative CT were consistent with diffuse, severe restrictive pleuritis, bilateral pleural effusion, and pulmonary atelectasis. Thoracocentesis yielded a red, turbid fluid that was identified as chylous effusion with chronic inflammation. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Exploratory thoracotomy revealed diffuse, severe fibrous adhesions between the mediastinum, heart, lung lobes, and thoracic wall, with a thick fibrous capsule enveloping all lung lobes. Surgical treatment consisted of complete pleural decortication, pericardiectomy, and thoracic omentalization. The cat remained hospitalized for 6 days, receiving oxygen supplementation, multimodal analgesia, and supportive care. Long-term home care consisted of prednisolone administration, rutin supplementation, and provision of a low-fat diet. At recheck examinations 3-, 7-, and 20-weeks postoperatively, the cat remained tachypneic, but was otherwise clinically normal without dyspnea or respiratory distress. Follow-up thoracic radiography revealed improved pulmonary expansion, decreased pleural effusion, and resolved pneumothorax. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical management of fibrosing pleuritis secondary to idiopathic chylothorax in cats has historically resulted in poor outcomes. This report details the first successful use of complete decortication in the surgical management of severe fibrosing pleuritis in a cat.

Internet Survey of Participant Demographics and Risk Factors for Injury in Flyball Dogs.

Background: Injury risk in canine sprinting sports, such as greyhound racing and agility, have been previously documented through various surveys. Flyball, another sprinting canine sport with similar athletic requirements to agility, has yet to be assessed for factors associated with injury. The aim of this study was to determine injury prevalence and assess for risk factors for injury in flyball dogs. Methods: Survey data from 375 flyball participants was collected and analyzed. Data collected included patient-specific variables, equipment use, training/competition practices, and injury occurrence and localization. Univariate analysis was utilized for all variables of interest, followed by backwards nominal logistic regression to identify variables associated with increased risk of injury, with a p < 0.05 defined as significant. Results: Thirty-nine percent of dogs incurred at least one injury with 172 injuries reported. Injuries to the limbs were common (30.8% affecting forelimbs, 25.6% affecting hindlimbs), with the paw or nail the most frequently reported injured area (19.2%). Only protective wrap use and age were significantly associated with injury in the final nominal regression model (p < 0.01). A biphasic injury rate with more injuries in younger dogs was observed, and injuries peaked by 6 years of age. Use of carpal wraps was positively associated with increased injury risk. Conclusions: These findings suggest an association between younger dogs and greater risk of injury, as well as identify a need to further investigate the utilization of wraps and potential association between injury risk among flyball participants.