Urolitíase em 76 cães / Urolithiasis in 76 dogs

Entre janeiro de 1990 e dezembro de 2010 foram necropsiados 4.872 cães no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (LPV-UFSM). Destes, 76 (1,6%) apresentaram urólitos em algum local do sistema urinário. O perfil epidemiológico dos cães afetados demonstrou o predomínio de machos (64,5%), adultos (52,6%) e com raça definida (56,6%). Sinais clínicos indicativos de urolitíase foram reportados em 30,3% dos casos e consistiram principalmente de hematúria, anúria, disúria e incontinência urinária. Os urólitos tiveram localização única ou múltipla e os locais anatômicos mais frequentemente acometimentos, em ordem decrescente de frequência, foram: bexiga, rim e uretra. Urolitíase ureteral não foi observada. Lesões secundárias à urolitíase foram observadas em aproximadamente 40% dos cães afetados; as mais prevalentes, em ordem decrescente de frequência, foram: cistite, obstrução uretral, hidroureter, hidronefrose, ruptura vesical (com uroperitônio) e pielonefrite. Em 25% dos cães afetados ocorreu morte espontânea ou eutanásia decorrente das lesões secundárias à urolitíase. Lesões extra-renais de uremia foram observadas em 11,8% dos casos.

From January 1990 to December 2010, 4,872 dogs were necropsied at the Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Seventy six dogs (1.6%) had uroliths along the urinary tract. The epidemiological profile of the affected dogs showed predominance of males (64.5%); adults (52.6%); and pure breeds (56.6%). Clinical signs suggestive of urolithiasis were reported in 30.3% of the dogs and consisted mainly of hematuria, anuria, dysuria and urinary incontinency. The uroliths were found in one or more anatomical sites, and the main affected ones (in descending order) were urinary bladder, kidney, and urethra. Ureteral urolithiasis was not observed. Secondary lesions to urolithiasis were found in about 40% of the cases. The most prevalent (in descending order) were cystitis, urethral obstruction, hydroureter, hydronephrosis, urinary bladder rupture (with uroperitoneum), and pyelonephritis. In 25% of the affected dogs, spontaneous death occurred or euthanasia was performed due to the secondary lesions of urolithiasis. Extra-renal lesions of uremia were found in 11.8% of the cases.

Pathologic findings and toxin identification in cyanobacterial (Nodularia spumigena) intoxication in a dog.

A 3-year-old Cairn Terrier dog that had been in contact with sea water containing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) was euthanized because of acute hepatic failure and anuria after a 5-day illness. Histologic findings included lytic and hemorrhagic centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis and renal tubular necrosis. The cyanotoxin nodularin was detected in liver and kidney by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nodularin is a potent hepatotoxin produced by the algal species Nodularia spumigena. The intensity of algal blooms has increased during the past decades in the Baltic Sea region, thus increasing the risk for intoxications in domestic and wild animals. The authors describe the pathologic findings of cyanobacterial toxicosis in a dog with direct identification of the toxin from organ samples.

Management of acute renal failure in cats using peritoneal dialysis: a retrospective study of six cases (2003-2007).

Information regarding the use and success of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the management of acute renal failure (ARF) in cats is lacking. The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe the indications, efficacy, complications and outcome of cats undergoing PD for ARF. Six cats that underwent PD for treatment of ARF of various etiologies were included. PD effectively replaced renal function in all cats and allowed renal recovery in 5/6 cats. Five cats were discharged and one cat died. Complications were reported in all cats and included subcutaneous edema (n=5), hyperglycemia (n=4), dialysate retention (n=3), and hypoalbuminemia (n=3). A novel technique consisting of a Blake surgical drain and an intermittent closed suction system was used, which appears to be a viable option for PD in cats. Although complications are common, PD is an effective renal replacement therapy for ARF in cats and carries a reasonable prognosis in selected cases.

Uremic changes induced by experimental urinary retention in goats.

The disease process of urinary retention resulting in uremia reported in cattle was studied clinically, clinico-pathologically and pathologically in 4 male goats with artificial urethrobstruction (UO). The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine values increased at constant rates (mean rates: 29.1 mg/dl/day and 1.6 mg/dl/day, respectively) from the initial stage. These increased levels were thought to be the most useful indicator for the diagnosis of the uremic stage. The serum sodium and chloride values decreased gradually after UO. The glucose and potassium values increased remarkably later than in the intermediate stage. Rupture of the bladder caused severe dehydration. The animals died between 8 to 13 days post-urinary retention. Unusual respiration and heart beat, and severe nervous signs were seen at moribundity. Gross lesions of the urinary organs were characterized by the pressure of retained urine and hemorrhage and edema in the subcutaneous tissues, skeletal muscles and some other organs. To study the effect of urethrotomy, 3 male goats were relieved from UO 3 or 4 days after UO operation. The animals became capable of reurination and recovered from the uremic condition within 4 days.