Extravesicular, two-layer, side-to-side ureteroneocystostomy combined with tension-relieving techniques for feline proximal ureteral obstruction: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical technique for extravesicular, two-layer, side-to-side ureteroneocystostomy combined with tension-relieving techniques (ETSUTT) for feline proximal ureteral obstruction and report clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Ten privately-owned cats with ureteral obstruction near the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for cats with ureteral obstruction close to the UPJ that underwent ETSUTT (2018-2021). The ETSUTT procedure consisted of a modified extravesicular technique (two-layer, side-to-side ureteroneocystostomy) and tension-relieving techniques (renal descensus, ureterocystopexy, and nephrocystopexy). RESULTS: All cats survived through discharge. In all cats, postoperative blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were decreased, compared with preoperative concentrations. Perioperative complications included ureteral catheter dislodgement (3), transient pollakiuria (2), and dysuria (1), but no specific treatments were required. Urinary tract infection was observed postoperatively in three of the 10 cats. The median follow-up was 648 days (min-max: 86-1229 days). Seven of the 10 cats were alive without recurrent ureteral obstruction at the end of this retrospective study. CONCLUSION: The ETSUTT procedure was successfully performed without major complications in cats with ureteral obstruction occurring near the UPJ. Use of ETSUTT provided a fair-to-good, long-term prognosis in cats that were otherwise difficult to manage. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This novel procedure, ETSUTT, was feasible, safe, and could be a viable treatment option for feline proximal ureteral obstruction, including the UPJ, especially for obstructions caused by stricture.

Parvovirus enteritis and other risk factors associated with persistent gastrointestinal signs in dogs later in life: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Parvoviral enteritis (PE) is a viral gastrointestinal (GI) infection of dogs. Recovery from PE has been associated with persistent GI signs later in life. The objectives of this study were: (i) To determine whether dogs that have recovered from PE (post-parvo dogs) had an increased risk of persistent GI signs compared to uninfected control dogs. (ii) To investigate the lifestyle and clinicopathologic factors that are associated with persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. METHODS: A total of 86 post-parvo dogs and 52 age-matched control dogs were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Many years after hospitalization for PE, the owners were interviewed about the health and habits of their dogs using a questionnaire. We used generalized linear mixed effects models to test whether parvovirus enteritis and other risk factors are associated with owner-recognized general health problems in all dogs and with owner-recognized persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. RESULTS: The prevalence of persistent GI signs was significantly higher in post-parvo dogs compared to control dogs (57% vs 25%, P < 0.001). Markers of disease severity at the time of hospital admission such as neutropenia, low body temperature (BT), and treatment with an antiemetic medication (metoclopramide) were significant risk factors for persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs. For example, PE-affected dogs that were hypothermic at hospital admission (BT of 37.2 °C) were 16.6 × more likely to have GI signs later in life compared to hyperthermic dogs (BT of 40.4 °C). The presence of persistent GI signs in post-parvo dogs was a risk factor for health problems in other organ systems. CONCLUSIONS: Parvovirus enteritis is a significant risk factor for persistent GI signs in dogs highlighting the importance of prevention. The risk factors identified in the present study may guide future investigations on the mechanisms that link parvovirus enteritis to chronic health problems in dogs.