Clinical findings, treatment and outcome of trapped neutrophil syndrome in Border Collies: 12 cases (2011-2022).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate clinical signs, diagnostic findings, treatment administered and short- (survival to 28 days) and long-term prognosis (survival >6 months) in dogs diagnosed with trapped neutrophil syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 12 dogs (10 Border Collies and two Border Collie Crossbreeds) homozygous for VPS13B gene mutation causing trapped neutrophil syndrome from seven veterinary institutions between January 2011 and June 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common clinical signs at the time of diagnosis were pyrexia, abnormal gait and gastrointestinal signs. Concurrent metaphyseal osteopathy and immune-mediated polyarthritis were common. Seven dogs had a segmented neutrophil count below, four dogs within and one dog above the analyser reference interval at presentation. Two dogs had a septic source identified and both were additionally identified to be homozygous mutant positive on DNA testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for canine cyclic neutropenia. All dogs received at least one antimicrobial agent and 10 dogs received treatment with prednisone or prednisolone (median starting dose 1 mg/kg/day; range 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg/day). Nine dogs were alive at 28 days and six dogs were alive at 6 months post-diagnosis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Trapped neutrophil syndrome should be suspected in young Border Collies with pyrexia, lameness and gastrointestinal signs. Neutropenia may not always be present and long-term survival is possible. A septic focus was not commonly identified in our population; however, our results suggest that if identified, testing for concurrent canine cyclic neutropenia should be considered.

Evaluation of presentation, treatment and outcome in hypertensive emergency in dogs and cats: 15 cases (2003-2019).

OBJECTIVES: Hypertensive emergency is well recognised in human medicine, yet there is limited veterinary evidence. This study aimed to determine the presentation, treatment and outcome in dogs and cats with hypertensive emergency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series of dogs and cats with hypertensive emergency identified as follows: acute history with non-invasive Doppler systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg and target organ damage including acute onset seizures, altered mentation with or without lateral recumbency or blindness. Data collected included signalment, history, physical examination and clinicopathological findings, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Seven dogs and eight cats were included presenting with seizures (n=9), blindness (n=4), altered mentation with (n=2) or without (n=2) lateral recumbency. Median age was 9 years (range 1 to 15) and duration of clinical signs before presentation was 1.5 days (range 1 to 15). Median systolic blood pressure on presentation was 230 mmHg (range 190 to 300). Amlodipine was the most common first-line agent (n=10), followed by hydralazine (n=4) and hypertonic saline (n=1). Aetiology of hypertensive emergency was acute kidney injury (n=9), idiopathic hypertension (n=3), hyperthyroidism (n=1), lymphoma (n=1) and suspected cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (n=1). Five cats and three dogs survived to discharge with an overall survival of 53.3%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hypertensive emergencies had various presenting signs in this series. AKI was considered to be the cause of hypertension in the majority of patients. Further evaluation of treatment for hypertensive emergencies is warranted, considering almost half of the cases did not survive to discharge.

First genome-wide association study investigating blood pressure and renal traits in domestic cats.

Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common in ageing cats. In humans, blood pressure (BP) and renal function are complex heritable traits. We performed the first feline genome-wide association study (GWAS) of quantitative traits systolic BP and creatinine and binary outcomes HTN and CKD, testing 1022 domestic cats with a discovery, replication and meta-analysis design. No variants reached experimental significance level in the discovery stage for any phenotype. Follow up of the top 9 variants for creatinine and 5 for systolic BP, one SNP reached experimental-wide significance for association with creatinine in the combined meta-analysis (chrD1.10258177; P = 1.34 × 10-6). Exploratory genetic risk score (GRS) analyses were performed. Within the discovery sample, GRS of top SNPs from the BP and creatinine GWAS show strong association with HTN and CKD but did not validate in independent replication samples. A GRS including SNPs corresponding to human CKD genes was not significant in an independent subset of cats. Gene-set enrichment and pathway-based analysis (GSEA) was performed for both quantitative phenotypes, with 30 enriched pathways with creatinine. Our results support the utility of GWASs and GSEA for genetic discovery of complex traits in cats, with the caveat of our findings requiring validation.

The new age of renal biomarkers: does SDMA solve all of our problems?

Within clinical small animal practice, diagnosis of both chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury is common. To assess renal function, measurement of glomerular filtration rate is considered the gold standard. Currently, routine tests of kidney function include surrogate markers of glomerular filtration rate such as serum creatinine, and urea, each with their own limitations, whilst urine protein to creatinine ratio gives an indication of glomerular and tubular handling of protein, and urine specific gravity information about urine concentrating ability by the kidney. These parameters are used together with historical and physical examination data to give a diagnosis of kidney disease following which creatinine, proteinuria and blood pressure are used to stage chronic kidney disease and, together with urine output, grade acute kidney injury according to the International Renal Interest Society. However, there has been much concern that creatinine is insensitive when used to indicate early decline in renal function and this has highlighted the need for additional methods of diagnosing and monitoring these patients, with the potential to allow earlier therapeutic intervention. Symmetric dimethylarginine is a novel biomarker, which has been shown to perform as a surrogate marker of glomerular filtration rate in small animals. This article will review current research on symmetric dimethylarginine and the ways in which it may be utilised in small animal practice; current research supports the use of symmetric dimethylarginine as a screening test for detection of early chronic kidney disease according to International Renal Interest Society guidelines, but further research is required in to the usefulness of symmetric dimethylarginine as a tool for monitoring disease and the effect of non-renal influences.

Occurrence, management and outcome of immune-complex glomerulonephritis in dogs with suspected glomerulopathy in the UK.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of dogs diagnosed with immune-complex glomerulonephritis in a large cohort of UK dogs with clinical suspicion of glomerular disease in which renal histopathology, including routine light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence, had been performed. The second objective was to describe treatment and long-term clinical outcome of dogs diagnosed with immune-complex glomerulonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two UK dogs that underwent renal biopsies for investigation of suspected glomerulopathy (urine protein-to-creatinine ratio persistently >0.5) were included in this retrospective multicentre study. Signalment, clinico-pathological abnormalities, histopathological diagnosis, treatment following diagnosis and survival were recorded. RESULTS: Seventeen (27%) of the dogs with suspected glomerular disease were diagnosed with immune-complex glomerulonephritis and nine (53%) of these were still alive at the study end point, with a median follow-up of 366 days (range 52 to 1299). Six dogs diagnosed with immune-complex glomerulonephritis were treated with mycophenolate. Four received mycophenolate alone for immunosuppression and two received mycophenolate and chlorambucil; all these six dogs were alive at data collection [median follow-up time 712.5 days (range 73 to 1299)]. Seven dogs diagnosed with immune-complex glomerulonephritis did not receive immunosuppressive treatment; only one of these dogs was alive at study end point [median survival time 302 days (range 52 to 723)]. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Immune-complex glomerulonephritis may be less common in the UK than previously reported in North America and mainland Europe, reducing the likelihood of treatment modification following renal biopsy. Mycophenolate was the most commonly used immunosuppressant for cases of immune-complex glomerulonephritis.

Exploring the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in women with previous gestational diabetes: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies.

Women with previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) have seven times the risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life compared to women without GDM. Physical activity can reduce this risk and most women with previous GDM are not physically active. AIMS: To explore: (1) effectiveness of physical activity interventions for women with previous GDM; (2) factors that women with previous GDM perceive influence their physical activity; (3) how these factors are addressed by the interventions. METHODS: A systematic review of quantitative (aim 1) and qualitative (aim 2) studies with a mixed-methods synthesis (aim 3) was conducted in October 2017 following Cochrane methodology. Of 8101 articles identified, twenty-eight studies were included in total: 18 in Review 1 and 10 in Review 2. RESULTS: Four interventions significantly increased physical activity and 14 had either mixed effectiveness or no changes in physical activity. Reporting of intervention components and study quality varied greatly. Relevant qualitative factors included accounting for childcare issues, social support and cultural sensitivities. Interventions that incorporated these factors were associated with effectiveness. Education about how to reduce future risk of Type 2 diabetes and using pedometers in interventions were not associated with intervention effectiveness. Other factors that future interventions should address consist of 'putting others before yourself'; 'putting off lifestyle change'; 'lack of support from healthcare professionals' and 'being a healthy role model for families'. CONCLUSION: Combining the results of qualitative and quantitative studies can provide a nuanced understanding of the effectiveness of physical activity and lifestyle interventions.

Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the calcium sensing receptor and chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder in cats.

Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high variability in severity of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) regulates circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium concentrations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CaSR are associated with severity of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism and total calcium concentrations in human patients receiving haemodialysis. The objective of this study was to explore associations between polymorphisms in the feline CaSR (fCaSR) and biochemical changes observed in CKD-MBD. Client owned cats (≥9years) were retrospectively included. SNP discovery was performed in 20 cats with azotaemic CKD and normal or dysregulated calcium concentrations. Non-pedigree cats (n=192) (125 with azotaemic CKD and 66 healthy), Persians (n=40) and Burmese (n=25) were genotyped for all identified SNPs using KASP. Biochemical parameters from the date of CKD diagnosis or from first visit to the clinic (healthy cats) were used. Associations between genotype and ionized calcium, total calcium, phosphate, PTH and FGF-23 were performed for non-pedigree cats using logistic regression. Sequence alignment against the fCaSR sequence revealed eight novel exonic SNPs. KASP genotyping had high accuracy (99.6%) and a low failure rate (<6%) for all SNPs. Allele frequencies varied between breeds. In non-pedigree cats, one synonymous SNP CaSR:c.1269G>A was associated with logPTH concentration (adjusted for plasma creatinine concentration), with a recessive model having the best fit (G/G vs A/A-G/A, P=0.031). Genetic variation in the fCaSR is unlikely to explain the majority of the variability in presence and severity of CKD-MBD in cats.

Calcitonin Response to Naturally Occurring Ionized Hypercalcemia in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. OBJECTIVES: To explore the calcitonin response to naturally occurring ionized hypercalcemia in cats with azotemic CKD, and to assess the relationship of plasma calcitonin with ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and urinary calcium excretion. ANIMALS: Thirty-three client-owned cats with azotemic CKD and ionized hypercalcemia from first opinion practice. METHODS: Cohort study. Calcitonin was measured with an immunoradiometric assay in heparinized plasma. Simple correlations were assessed with Kendall's rank correlation, and the within-subject correlations of calcitonin with ionized calcium and other clinicopathological variables were calculated with a bivariate linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: Calcitonin concentrations above the lower limit of detection (>1.2 pg/mL; range, 1.7-87.2 pg/mL) were observed in 11 of 33 hypercalcemic cats (responders). Blood ionized calcium concentration did not differ significantly between responders (median, 1.59 [1.46, 1.66] mmol/L) and nonresponders (median, 1.48 [1.43, 1.65] mmol/L; P = 0.22). No evidence was found for calcitonin and ionized calcium to correlate between cats (τb = 0.14; P = 0.31; n = 33), but significant positive correlation was evident within individual responders over time (within-subject correlation coefficient [rwithin ], 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.92). Calcitonin correlated negatively over time with plasma ALP (rwithin , -0.55; 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.16). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Calcitonin does not appear to have an important role in calcium metabolism in cats with CKD.

Breastfeeding initiation: An in-depth qualitative analysis of the perspectives of women and midwives using Social Cognitive Theory.

OBJECTIVE: to explore women's and midwives' expectations, knowledge and experiences of breastfeeding initiation using Social Cognitive Theory. DESIGN: a qualitative study using focus group discussions and individual interviews. Breastfeeding initiation was defined for this study as a process within the first 48hours after birth. Data were analysed using qualitative inductive analysis then further deductive analysis using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: a purposefully selected sample of primigravid antenatal and postnatal women (n=18) and practising midwives (n=18) from one Health Board area in Scotland. FINDINGS: attachment of the baby to the breast at birth was hindered by sleepy babies and the busy unfamiliar hospital environment. These resulted in mothers struggling to maintain their motivation to breastfeed and to develop low self-efficacy. Instinctive attachment was rare. Midwives who considered it was normal for babies to be sleepy and unable to attach or feed at birth did not facilitate instinctive baby behaviour. Midwives sometimes experienced lack of autonomy and environmental circumstances that made women centred care difficult. Furthermore caring for high numbers of women, dependent on their help, resulted in reduced self-efficacy for providing effective breastfeeding support. KEY CONCLUSIONS: interviewing both women and midwives specifically about initiation of breastfeeding has allowed for deeper insights into this critical period and enabled a comparison between the data obtained from mothers and midwives. The findings suggest that instinctive attachment is not an expectation of either mothers or midwives and results in a loss of breastfeeding confidence in both. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: to facilitate initiation there is a need for more research to develop appropriate maternal and midwifery skills, and make changes to the cultural environment in hospitals. Social Cognitive Theory could be used as a framework in both the antenatal and immediate postnatal period to develop strategies and materials to increase women's and midwives' self-efficacy specifically in initiation.

Systemic hypertension in cats with acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of systemic hypertension in cats with community-acquired acute kidney injury and investigate its relationship with disease severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of cats presenting to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College with acute kidney injury between 2007 and 2015. Systolic blood pressure was measured using Doppler sphygmomanometry and systemic hypertension was defined pressures ê150 mmHg. Median systolic blood pressure measurement, grade of acute kidney injury (as defined by the International Renal Interest Society), serum creatinine on admission, anuria or oliguria, length of hospitalisation, survival to discharge and six-month survival were all recorded. RESULTS: Forty-six cats were included; 21/48 (48.8%) showed systemic hypertension on admission and was severe (ê180 mmHg) in 8/43 (18.6%). During the whole hospitalisation period, systemic hypertension was detected in 27/46 (58.7%) cases and severe in 13/46 (28.2%). Systemic hypertension did not appear to be statistically associated with grade of kidney injury, serum creatinine on presentation, oliguria or anuria. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Systemic hypertension is common in cats with acute kidney injury but does not appear to be associated with its severity.

Children's experiences of managing Type 1 diabetes in everyday life: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

AIMS: To explore the everyday experiences of children (aged ≤ 12 years) with Type 1 diabetes to identify factors that help or hinder diabetes self-management practices. METHODS: Eight databases (Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsychInfo, ASSIA, ERIC and ProQuest Dissertations) were searched in 2016 to identify qualitative studies exploring children's views about self-managing diabetes. Data were extracted, coded and analysed using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Eighteen studies from five countries were included in the review. Synthesis of studies' findings resulted in the identification of three overarching analytical themes. The first theme, 'Understandings of diabetes and involvement in self-management', outlines ways in which children understand diabetes and develop self-management responsibilities. The second theme, 'Disruption to life and getting on with it', reports children's frustrations at disruptions to everyday life when managing diabetes, and how attempts to appear normal to family and friends affect self-management practices. The third theme, 'Friends' support', describes how friends' reactions and responses to diabetes affect children's ability to appear normal and willingness to disclose information about diabetes, and support provided by 'informed friends', or peers with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the synthesis has identified how children's everyday life experiences inform ways in which they undertake diabetes self-management, it was not possible to determine new ways to provide support. To help children optimise their glycaemic control, further work should be undertaken to identify their need for support and which takes into account the potential ways in which parents, friends and peers can offer assistance.

Plasma N-Terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Cardiac Troponin I as Novel Biomarkers of Hypertensive Disease and Target Organ Damage in Cats.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of ocular target organ damage (ocular-TOD), diagnosis of hypertension is challenging in cats. Biomarkers would provide additional support for the diagnosis of hypertension. HYPOTHESIS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) are predictors of systemic hypertension, will be increased in cats with hypertension with or without ocular-TOD, and will decrease with antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: Plasma VEGF, NT-proBNP, and cTnI concentrations and UPC were determined in healthy geriatric cats, normotensive cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertensive cats with evidence of hypertensive retinopathy (HT-ocular-TOD), and hypertensive cats without hypertensive ocular-TOD (HT-noTOD). Comparisons among groups were performed. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were built to identify independent biomarkers of hypertension and ocular-TOD. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to assess clinical use. RESULTS: Cats with HT-ocular-TOD had significantly higher VEGF than all other groups (P < .05) and significantly higher NT-proBNP than healthy cats (P < .001). Healthy cats had significantly lower cTnI than all other groups (P < .05). No differences were found among groups for UPC (P = .08). Cardiac troponin I and VEGF were independent predictors of hypertension (P < .05), but none of the biomarkers were independent predictors of ocular-TOD. N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide concentrations decreased with antihypertensive treatment (P < .001). The ROC curves indicated that none of the biomarkers met the criteria to function as diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of hypertension or associated ocular-TOD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite statistical significance and changes with ocular-TOD, antihypertensive treatment, or both, VEGF, NT-proBNP, and cTnI did not function as useful diagnostic tests for hypertension. Persistently increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements in combination with fundoscopy remains the preferred method for diagnosis of feline hypertension.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats and the Risk of Total Hypercalcemia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common comorbidity in cats with hypercalcemia, but whether CKD is a risk factor for hypercalcemia is unclear. Hypercalcemia often is diagnosed based on total calcium concentration (tCa), which tends to underestimate the ionized calcium concentration (iCa) in cats. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the performance of tCa for the diagnosis of ionized hypercalcemia, and exploration of factors influencing the relationship between iCa and tCa. Determination of risk factors for incident total hypercalcemia (ie, the development of hypercalcemia based on tCa during follow-up). ANIMALS: Records of a cross-section (n = 477) and observational cohort (n = 367) of client-owned cats with and without azotemic CKD from first opinion practice. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study. The diagnostic accuracy of tCa as an index test for ionized hypercalcemia was evaluated, and risk factors for underestimation were explored by binary logistic and linear regression in a cross-section of cats with and without azotemic CKD. Chronic kidney disease and clinicopathological variables were assessed as predictors of incident total hypercalcemia by both time-invariant and time-dependent Cox regression in a cohort of cats. RESULTS: Specificity of tCa for identification of ionized hypercalcemia was high (100%), but sensitivity was low. Underestimation was associated with lower venous bicarbonate concentrations. Cats with CKD had increased risk for incident total hypercalcemia (hazard ratio, 4.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.96-9.37; P < .001). Higher tCa predicted incident total hypercalcemia in both azotemic and nonazotemic cats (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for incident total hypercalcemia, and most cats with increased tCa had concurrent ionized hypercalcemia. Higher baseline tCa predicts incident total hypercalcemia. Prospective studies assessing changes in iCa are warranted.

Nasal infestation by Linguatula serrata in a dog in the UK: a case report.

A two-year-old, female neutered, cross-breed dog imported from Romania was diagnosed with nasal infestation of Linguatula serrata after she sneezed out an adult female. The dog was presented with mucopurulent/sanguinous nasal discharge, marked left-sided exophthalmia, conjunctival hyperaemia and chemosis. Computed tomography and left frontal sinusotomy revealed no further evidence of adult parasites. In addition, there was no evidence of egg shedding in the nasal secretions or faeces. Clinical signs resolved within 48 hours of sinusotomy, and with systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Recommendations are given in this report regarding the management and follow-up of this important zoonotic disease.

Factors Influencing the Relationship Between the Dose of Amlodipine Required for Blood Pressure Control and Change in Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Cats.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a common problem in elderly cats. In most cats, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <160 mmHg is achieved in response to amlodipine besylate at either 0.625 or 1.25 mg q24h. The individual cat factors determining dose requirement dose have not been explored. AIMS: To determine whether individual cat factors influence the dose of amlodipine required to achieve adequate blood pressure control and to determine whether factors other than the prescribed dose of drug alter the achieved plasma amlodipine concentrations. METHODS: Fifty-nine hypertensive cats that required 0.625 mg (A) and 41 cats that required 1.25 mg (B) amlodipine to reach a target SBP of <160 mmHg were identified, and plasma amlodipine concentrations were determined. Comparisons were made between groups, and multivariable linear regression models were performed to investigate predictors of antihypertensive response. RESULTS: Cats that required a greater dose of amlodipine had significantly higher SBP at diagnosis of hypertension (A: (median [25th, 75th percentile]) 182 [175,192] mmHg; B: 207 [194,217] mmHg, P < .001), but comparable blood pressure was achieved after treatment. Plasma amlodipine concentrations were directly related to the dose of amlodipine administered. At diagnosis, cats in group B had significantly lower plasma potassium concentration (A: 4.1 [3.8,4.5]; B: 3.8 [3.6,4.2] mEq/L, P < .01). Weight did not differ between groups. The decrease in SBP was directly and independently associated with the SBP at diagnosis and the plasma amlodipine concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cats with higher blood pressure at diagnosis might require a greater dose of amlodipine to control their blood pressure adequately. Differences in amlodipine pharmacokinetics between cats do not seem to play a role in the antihypertensive response.

Uromodulin gene variants and their association with renal function and blood pressure in cats: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: In humans, genome-wide association studies have identified variants in the uromodulin gene (UMOD) associated with blood pressure and renal function. This study aimed to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms at the UMOD locus with renal function and blood pressure in cats. METHODS: We retrospectively identified cats aged 14 years that had participated in a geriatric monitoring program, and from which stored DNA samples were available, from a computerised database. We then measured the association of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in the feline UMOD gene with renal function and systolic blood pressure as continuous variables and, also, the dichotomous outcome of azotaemic chronic kidney disease and systemic hypertension. RESULTS: Eight intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms, one 1372 base pairs upstream from UMOD and two exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms were evaluated in 227 cats with renal and blood pressure data. An analysis of 188 cats found four single nucleotide polymorphisms to be significantly associated (P<0·01) with systolic blood pressure although all were in linkage disequilibrium. No significant associations were identified between single nucleotide polymorphisms and renal function or chronic kidney disease. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Results of this pilot study suggest that genetic variation in UMOD might influence blood pressure in cats, similar to findings in humans. Validation of these results is required.

Psychometric Validation of a General Health Quality of Life Tool for Cats Used to Compare Healthy Cats and Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Numerous validated psychometric tools are available to assess impact of disease on a human's quality of life (QoL). To date, no psychometrically validated general health-related QoL tool exists for cats. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a tool for assessment of owner-perceived QoL in cats (CatQoL) and to use this tool to compare QoL between healthy cats and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). ANIMALS/SUBJECTS: Total of 204 owners of young healthy cats (YH, n = 99; <9 years), older healthy cats (OH, n = 35), and cats diagnosed with CKD (CKD, n = 70) completed the CatQoL. METHODS: Discussions with a focus group and 2 pilot surveys informed design of 16 QoL questions grouped into 4 domains. Each item scored according to frequency and importance, and item-weighted-impact-scores were calculated. The validity of the tool was assessed using principal components analysis and Cronbach's α. The average item-weighted-impact-score (AWIS) was compared among groups and domains. RESULTS: Sixteen-item CatQoL showed good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α, 0.77) and unidimensionality with significant loadings (0.2-0.7) and communalities (>0.3). Young healthy cats had significantly higher AWIS (median [IQR], 1.25 [0.63, 1.88]) than OH (0.56 [-0.06, 1.00]) and CKD cats (-0.06 [-0.81, 0.88]), P < .001). CKD cats had significantly lower AWIS for eating domain (YH: 2.00 [1.00, 3.00]; OH: 2.00 [0.67, 3.00]; CKD : 1.00 [0.00, 2.67]) when compared with the YH group and OH group, and all groups differed significantly in their management domain (YH: -0.50 [-1.00, 0.00]; OH: -1.00 [-1.88, -0.50]; CKD : -1.50 [-2.50, -1.00], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The CatQoL was validated for use in cats, and can be used as additional assessment parameter in clinical and research settings.

Protocol-developing meta-ethnography reporting guidelines (eMERGe).

BACKGROUND: Designing and implementing high-quality health care services and interventions requires robustly synthesised evidence. Syntheses of qualitative research studies can provide evidence of patients' experiences of health conditions; intervention feasibility, appropriateness and acceptability to patients; and advance understanding of health care issues. The unique, interpretive, theory-based meta-ethnography synthesis approach is suited to conveying patients' views and developing theory to inform service design and delivery. However, meta-ethnography reporting is often poor quality, which discourages trust in, and use of, meta-ethnography findings. Users of evidence syntheses require reports that clearly articulate analytical processes and findings. Tailored research reporting guidelines can raise reporting standards but none exists for meta-ethnography. This study aims to create an evidence-based meta-ethnography reporting guideline articulating the methodological standards and depth of reporting required to improve reporting quality. METHODS/DESIGN: The mixed-methods design of this National Institute of Health Research-funded study (http://www.stir.ac.uk/emerge/) follows good practice in research reporting guideline development comprising: (1) a methodological systematic review (PROSPERO registration: CRD42015024709) to identify recommendations and guidance in conducting/reporting meta-ethnography; (2) a review and audit of published meta-ethnographies to identify good practice principles and develop standards in conduct/reporting; (3) an online workshop and Delphi studies to agree guideline content with 45 international qualitative synthesis experts and 45 other stakeholders including patients; (4) development and wide dissemination of the guideline and its accompanying detailed explanatory document, a report template for National Institute of Health Research commissioned meta-ethnographies, and training materials on guideline use. DISCUSSION: Meta-ethnography, devised in the field of education, is now used widely in other disciplines. Methodological advances relevant to meta-ethnography conduct exist. The extent of discipline-specific adaptations of meta-ethnography and the fit of any adaptions with the underpinning philosophy of meta-ethnography require investigation. Well-reported meta-ethnography findings could inform clinical decision-making. A bespoke meta-ethnography reporting guideline is needed to improve reporting quality, but to be effective potential users must know it exists, trust it and use it. Therefore, a rigorous study has been designed to develop and promote a guideline. By raising reporting quality, the guideline will maximise the likelihood that high-quality meta-ethnographies will contribute robust evidence to improve health care and patient outcomes.

Changes in systolic blood pressure over time in healthy cats and cats with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a common problem in older cats, most often associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cross-sectional studies have suggested that blood pressure in cats increases with age. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether blood pressure in cats increases with age and whether this occurs independently of the presence of CKD. To investigate risk factors for developing hypertension. ANIMALS/SUBJECTS: Two hundred and sixty-five cats with CKD and 133 healthy cats ≥9 years were retrospectively identified. METHODS: Four groups were created according to status at initial evaluation (CKD or healthy) and blood pressure at the last included visit (normotensive [NT] or developed hypertension [DH]): Healthy-NT, Healthy-DH, CKD-NT and CKD-DH. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) over time slopes were compared with 0 and between groups. Risk factors for the development of hypertension were investigated, and associations of biochemical and clinical variables with SBP were examined. RESULTS: Cats that were hypertensive at CKD diagnosis (n = 105) were not included in further analyses. Twenty-seven cats with CKD and 9 healthy cats developed hypertension ≥3 months after diagnosis of CKD or their first visit. Systolic blood pressure significantly increased with age in all cats (P < .001). Healthy cats were at less risk than cats with CKD to become hypertensive (hazard ratio 0.2, P < .001), with creatinine being an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The high prevalence of hypertension in azotemic cats in this study shows the importance of monitoring of SBP in elderly cats, and in particular in cats with CKD.

Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy as a cause of acute kidney injury in dogs in the UK.

To describe the signalment, clinicopathological findings and outcome in dogs presenting with acute kidney injury (AKI) and skin lesions between November 2012 and March 2014, in whom cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) was suspected and renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was histopathologically confirmed. The medical records of dogs with skin lesions and AKI, with histopathologically confirmed renal TMA, were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty dogs from across the UK were identified with clinicopathological findings compatible with CRGV. These findings included the following: skin lesions, predominantly affecting the distal extremities; AKI; and variably, anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and hyperbilirubinaemia. Known causes of AKI were excluded. The major renal histopathological finding was TMA. All thirty dogs died or were euthanised. Shiga toxin was not identified in the kidneys of affected dogs. Escherichia coli genes encoding shiga toxin were not identified in faeces from affected dogs. CRGV has previously been reported in greyhounds in the USA, a greyhound in the UK, without renal involvement, and a Great Dane in Germany. This is the first report of a series of non-greyhound dogs with CRGV and AKI in the UK. CRGV is a disease of unknown aetiology carrying a poor prognosis when azotaemia develops.