Association of leukergy (in vitro leukocyte aggregation) with systemic inflammation in dogs and cats (2017-2022).

BACKGROUND: Leukergy is the phenomenon of aggregation of leukocytes on a peripheral blood film, and in humans, it is used as an indicator of systemic inflammation and infection. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association of leukergy on blood film examination with biochemical and clinical evidence of systemic inflammation, infection, neoplasia, or specific organ system disease. METHODS: A case-control study using retrospective analysis (2017-2022) identified all canine and feline patients that had been presented to an academic referral center with a finding of leukergy on peripheral blood film and an equal number of species-matched controls. RESULTS: A total of 127 cases (canine n = 44, feline n = 83) were identified, as well as 127 controls. Feline samples were 7.6× more likely to exhibit leukergy (0.019%) than canine (0.0025%). A positive association was noted between leukergy and higher globulin concentrations in dogs (marginal difference 0.5 mg/dL, P = .016) and cats (marginal difference 0.67 mg/dL, P = <.001). Cats with leukergy had higher WBC counts and were less likely to be diagnosed with cardiac or urinary tract disease than controls. Dogs with leukergy had lower WBC counts and were more likely to be febrile but were less likely to have urinary tract disease than controls. No association was found with neutrophil toxic change or band forms, systemic antimicrobial therapy, or signalment. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is a positive association between increased globulin concentrations and leukergy and inconsistent associations between leukergy and other markers of inflammation or infection. Leukergy is rare overall but markedly more common in cats than dogs.

Incidence of feline idiopathic cystitis and urethral obstruction during COVID-19 human movement restrictions in Queensland, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) and urethral obstruction (UO) are commonly linked to increased stress. The influence of human movement restrictions on their incidence remains undetermined. FIC with or without UO is associated with environmental stress factors. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic restricted human movement and working behaviours. It is unknown if these restrictions increased the risk of FIC or UO in cats. METHODS: Total cat emergency accessions and transfers between 8 February 2019 and 8 February 2021 at two private hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were included in the FIC group if they presented with lower urinary tract signs and supporting urinalysis, and were included in the UO group if they presented with UO. Cats with current urinary tract infection, or previous FIC or UO, were excluded. Groups were considered 'pre-COVID-19' between February 2019 and 2020 and 'COVID-19' between February 2020 and 2021. Cases of FIC and UO were compared between COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 using Fisher's exact test and relative risk (RR) calculations. RESULTS: The pre-COVID-19 incidence of FIC was 4.3% (63/1477, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0332-0.053), non-obstructive FIC was 1.4% (20/1477, 95% CI 0.008-0.020) and UO was 2.9% (43/1477, 95% CI 0.020-0.038). One cat was excluded as obstruction occurred during hospitalisation. The COVID-19 incidence of FIC was 5.4% (113/2081, 95% CI 0.044-0.64), non-obstructive FIC was 2.1% (70/2081, 95% CI 0.014-0.027) and UO was 3.4% (70/2081, 95% CI 0.026-0.042). The risk of non-obstructive FIC (P = 0.122; RR 0.652, 95% CI 0.387-1.096), UO (P = 0.382; RR 0.839, 95% CI 0.577-1.22) or either (P = 0.098; RR 0.773, 95% CI 0.572-1.044) was not significantly higher in the COVID-19 period than the pre-COVID-19 period. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: No clear association between COVID-19 movement restrictions and the incidence of UO or non-obstructive FIC was found within this retrospective population.

Factors associated with house-soiling in Italian cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with house-soiling in Italian cats. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey collected information on respondents' and cats' details and litter management, and whether the cat showed house-soiling. Univariable and multivariable regression models were performed using house-soiling (present/absent) and the type of house-soiling (ie, urinary, faecal, concurrent urinary and faecal) as dummy variables. RESULTS: Data from 3106 cats were obtained. The number of dogs and other cats in the household, the cat's age, the number, type and location of the litter boxes, the type of litter, and the frequency of litter scooping and full replacement were retained in the final multivariable regression model for house-soiling (model P <0.001, Akaike information criterion [AIC] = 2454.30). Urinary tract diseases, the type and number of litter boxes and the number of dogs in the household were associated with urinary house-soiling (model P <0.001, AIC = 534.08), and gastroenteric/musculoskeletal diseases, number of litter boxes and litter box location were associated with faecal house-soiling (model P <0.001, AIC = 448.52). Healthy cats, the number of dogs in the household, the type of litter and litter full replacement frequency were retained in the final multivariable regression model for the concurrent expression of urinary and faecal house-soiling (model P <0.001, AIC = 411.47). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Meeting cats' preferences for litter and litter box type, location, behavioural needs and strict litter hygienic conditions is recommended. Cat owners need to be educated to prevent and manage house-soiling in their cats.

Evaluating feline lower urinary tract disease: Doppler ultrasound of the kidneys.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasonography is used in the evaluation of urinary disorders, and the resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) have been successfully used to detect early hemodynamic changes in the course of kidney diseases in humans and dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate RI and PI in cats with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). METHODS: Twenty-nine client-owned cats were selected and divided into a control group (CG; n = 10), a group of animals with obstructive FLUTD (OG; n = 11) and non-obstructive FLUTD (nOG; n = 8). Clinical, laboratory and ultrasound evaluations were performed in all cats. RESULTS: RI and PI values for cats in the CG were below the upper limit of normal suggested in other studies, while cats with FLUTD showed significantly higher values in the assessment of RI (P = 0.027 and P = 0.034, respectively) and PI (P = 0.044 and P = 0.048, respectively) of the right and left kidneys. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Alteration in renal blood flow was observed in cats with lower urinary tract disorders, even in the nOG group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of renal blood flow changes related to non-obstructive FLUTD.

Epidemiological investigations on microbial infection and crystals causing feline lower urinary tract disease in tomcats in Ismailia, Egypt.

Background: Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a common disorder associated with the dysfunction of the urinary bladder or urethra in tomcats. Aim: A prospective study was carried out on the point prevalence and odds ratio (OR) of the FLUTD in Shirazi and Baladi tomcats at Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, recording the prominent clinical manifestation and identifying the antibiogram, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance genes of the causative microorganisms. Methods: A total number of 420 tomcats admitted to the veterinary clinics of Ismailia during the period June 2020 to May 2021 were examined for FLUTD. A total of 1,260 urine samples were collected and analyzed. Results: Hematuria, dysuria, and pollakiuria were the most evident signs recorded in a total of 120 tomcats diagnosed with FLUTD. The diagnosed cases of FLUTD were associated with causes like crystals (35.83%), pyogenic microorganisms (19.16%), and mixed cases (45.00%). The prevalence revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) increases in the cases caused by Escherichia coli, E. coli mixed cases, and calcium oxalate at >4 years; Staphylococcus aureus at ≤ 2 years; amorphous urate and phosphate at 2-4 and >4 years in Shirazi and ≤2 years in Baladi; triple phosphate at ≤2 years in Shirazi and >4 years in Baladi; and S. aureus mixed cases at ≤2 years. The OR of FLUTD revealed higher odds of associations with E. coli, E. coli mixed cases, S. aureus, amorphous urate, and triple phosphate, as well as lower odds with S. aureus, calcium oxalate, amorphous phosphate, and S. aureus mixed cases. Isolated E. coli revealed higher resistance to amoxicillin (AMX, 83.4%), ceftriaxone (83.4%), ceftazidime (CAZ, 75.0%), and cefoxitin (FOX, 50.0%), and S. aureus to oxacillin (100%), FOX (100%), AMX (85.8%), CAZ (76.2%), and FOX (50.0%). S. aureus-detected virulence genes were mecA, coa, spa, and tetK, and E. coli were fimH, iss, iutA, papC, blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and tetA. About 100% of E. coli and 76.1% of S. aureus isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. Conclusion: FLUTD in tomcats is associated with higher odds in E. coli, E. coli mixed cases, and triple phosphate at older ages (>4 years) with high antimicrobial resistance in the microbial isolates contributing to the disease.

Relevance of dog as an animal model for urologic diseases.

We utilize animal models in urologic research to improve understanding of urinary physiology, determine the etiology of many urologic diseases, and discover and test novel therapeutic interventions. Dogs have a similar urinary tract anatomy and physiology to human and they develop many urologic diseases spontaneously. This chapter offers detailed comparisons of urinary tract anatomy, physiology, and the most common urologic diseases between humans and dogs. Dogs offer a unique opportunity for urologic research because they can be studied in research colonies and in client owned cohorts. Dogs also are among a limited number of non-human species that require continence and socially appropriate urinary behaviors (ex. going to the bathroom outside, training to not have submissive urination, etc.). These features make dogs unique in the animal kingdom and make them an ideal animal model for urologic research.

Clinical use and complications of percutaneous cystostomy pigtail catheters in 25 cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to describe the indications for percutaneous pigtail catheter placement in cats requiring urine diversion, and to report the associated intra- and postoperative complications. METHODS: The medical records of cats that underwent percutaneous pigtail catheter placement for urine diversion between January 2011 and May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five cats were included. Indications for pigtail catheter placement were medical management of obstructive urinary tract disease (n = 12), urinary tract damage after traumatic injury (n = 8) and neurological bladder dysfunction (n = 5). Catheters were in place for a median time of 8.28 days (range 3-27), and the duration of the catheter placement was not different between the medical, traumatic and neurological groups. Ten cats (40%) developed pigtail catheter complications including dislodgement, urine leakage, urinary tract infection and bladder rupture. The majority of complications were easily resolved and did not require surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results suggest that percutaneous pigtail catheter placement can facilitate urine diversion in both the emergency setting and in the long-term management of urine retention without many complications.

Acute-phase proteins in cats with obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease.

BACKGROUND: Feline obstructive disease of the lower urinary tract (FLUTD) is a common pathologic condition of cats. It can be related to sterile inflammation, which leads to acute impairment of renal function and the accumulation of electrolytes and acid-base imbalance. Acute-phase proteins (APPs) are biomarkers of tissue damage from inflammation that assist in monitoring treatment and prognosis. OBJECTIVE: Monitoring the inflammatory processes of obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease through the determination of plasma fibrinogen concentrations and serum concentrations of the acute-phase proteins, serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and albumin. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-five male cats were included in this study. They were divided into two experimental groups: a control group (CG) and an obstruction group (OG). There were 8 healthy cats in the CG group and 17 cats with obstructive FLUTD in the OG group. APP measurements were conducted using ELISA kits. Samples were collected for APP analyses, serum biochemical assays, urinalyses, and urine protein: creatinine ratio calculations at diagnosis, before urethral clearance (H0), and 12 (H12), 24 (H24), and 48 (H48) hours after urethral clearance from cats in the OG group. Samples were collected once from cats in the CG group cats. RESULTS: At H0, we found positive correlations of SAA, AGP, and fibrinogen with urea and creatinine, and negative correlations of albumin with hematuria, SAA, and potassium. At H48, we found positive correlations between SAA and AGP, AGP and urea, fibrinogen and urea, fibrinogen and creatinine, fibrinogen and AGP, and fibrinogen and SAA. In addition, a negative correlation of albumin with urea and creatinine was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Serum amyloid A, AGP, fibrinogen, and albumin could be used as biomarkers of inflammatory processes in cats with obstructive FLUTD.

Ureteral Endoscopy to Detect Upper Urinary Tract Diseases in Horses.

Ureteral endoscopy is a routine procedure in human medicine, whereas the reports of this procedure on horses are few and far between. The aim of this paper is to describe the endoscopic technique to evaluate the ureters in standing, sedated horses. An endoscopy of the ureters and lower urinary tract was performed using flexible endoscopes on 4 horses, 3 mares and one gelding. The animals were sedated with alpha-2-agonists and an epidural anaesthesia was given. An endoscopy of the ureter in the horse is easy to perform, causes the animal no adverse effects and could provide significant information on the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases of the urinary tract.

Focused Ultrasound Examination of Canine and Feline Emergency Urinary Tract Disorders.

This article discusses the usefulness of ultrasound examinations in the management of the patient with an emergency urinary tract disorder. It discusses the use of previously described point-of-care ultrasound protocols such as the abdominal focused assessment with sonography for trauma, triage, and tracking protocol in the unstable azotemic patient. Point-of-care ultrasound examination can help direct investigations and expedite the diagnosis of specific causes of azotemia. The limitations of point-of-care ultrasound assessment of the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and urethra are also addressed, emphasizing that point-of-care ultrasound examination should complement and not replace a complete urinary tract ultrasound examination.

Hematúria macroscópica em equinos associada à infecção por Leptospira interrogans / Macroscopic haematuria in horses associated with Leptospira interrogans infection

Hematúria é uma grave manifestação clínica de doença do sistema urinário, ocorrendo sob as formas micro ou macroscópica. Neste artigo relatam-se dois casos de hematúria macroscópica associada à infecção por Leptospira interrogans sorogrupo Canicola. O exame clínico inicial revelou hematúria macroscópica, taquicardia, taquipneia, febre, elevação do tempo de perfusão capilar, hipomotilidade intestinal, além de icterícia da mucosa oral. Leucocitose, proteinúria, glicosúria, piúria e azotemia foram achados comuns aos dois casos. Teste de Soroaglutinação Microscópica foi realizado para titulação de anticorpos contra Leptospira interrogans. Tratamento incluiu medidas terapêuticas de suporte (fluidoterapia), controle da hematúria e antibioticoterapia. Sete dias após manifestação dos sinais clínicos iniciais, ambos animais receberam alta hospitalar após remissão dos sinais clínicos.

Haematuria is a serious clinical manifestation of urinary system disease, occurring in micro or macroscopic forms. In this article two cases of macroscopic haematuria associated with Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicolainfection are related. The initial clinical examination revealed macroscopic haematuria, tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, increased capillary perfusion time, intestinal hypomotility, in addition to jaundice of the oral mucosa. Leukocytosis, proteinuria, glycosuria, pyuria and azotemia were common findings in both cases. Microscopic serum agglutination test was performed for titration of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans. Treatment included supportive therapeutic measures (fluid therapy), hematuria control and antibiotic therapy. Seven days after the manifestation of the initial clinical signs, both animals were discharged from the hospital without complications.

A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF POST-METAMORPHIC MOUNTAIN CHICKEN FROG (LEPTODACTYLUS FALLAX) NECROPSY FINDINGS FROM EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS, 1998 TO 2018.

The mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) is the largest endemic amphibian species in the Western Hemisphere. Since 1998, this critically endangered species has been maintained as a European Endangered Species Programme, but low breeding success and a high mortality rate threaten the sustainability of the captive frog population. In the current study, we analyzed gross and histopathologic postmortem information from 212 mountain chicken frogs that died in European zoological collections from 1998 to 2018. Thin body condition was the most commonly reported finding across all submissions, observed in 125 frogs. The gastrointestinal and urinary systems were reported to have the highest prevalence of pathologic findings on gross and histopathologic examination. Inflammatory disease was the most frequent diagnosis after histopathologic examination of relevant tissues, with intestinal inflammatory disease (n = 76) followed by tubulointerstitial nephritis (n = 26) being the most commonly reported. Neoplasia was reported in 42 of 212 (19.8%) frogs, all of which were adults. A defined cause of death, or reason for euthanasia, was proposed for 164 of 212 (77.4%) frogs, with inflammatory diseases processes (74 of 212; 34.9%) most commonly implicated. Intestinal adenocarcinoma, seemingly restricted to the colon, caused the deaths of 31 adult frogs. Further investigations to determine factors contributing to the high incidence of inflammatory disease processes and neoplasia are advocated to improve the health and sustainability of the captive mountain chicken frog population.

Seroprevalence of Infection with Feline Morbilliviruses Is Associated with FLUTD and Increased Blood Creatinine Concentrations in Domestic Cats.

Feline morbilliviruses (FeMV) are fairly newly discovered paramyxoviruses found in cats. The first description indicated an association with widely distributed chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the host species. In various studies, a global prevalence and a further genotype, designated FeMV-2, and the involvement of other organ systems in infected individuals were shown. Using an immunofluorescence assay, we detected an overall seroprevalence of FeMV in almost half of the cats investigated (n = 380), with a significantly increased proportion in younger animals. In comparison to European Shorthair cats, the rate of seropositivity is higher in pedigree cats. Regardless of the breed, FeMV infection was associated with increased blood creatinine concentrations, suggesting an association with CKD. Further analysis indicated that this association was the strongest in animals having high IFA titers against FeMV-2. In addition, a significant association between FeMV-positive status and the prevalence of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD, or idiopathic cystitis) was detected. This association was dominated by cats having antibodies against FeMV-1 only. To further evaluate the positive correlation between FeMV seroprevalence and CKD as well as FLUTD, consideration of additional clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters is warranted, and controlled infection studies with both FeMV genotypes are necessary. Clinicians should, however, be aware of a possible link between renal and lower urinary tract disease and FeMV infections.

The effect of antimicrobial treatment on mortality associated with urinary tract disease in mink kits (Neovison vison).

Mink urinary tract disease (MUTD) often presents as urolithiasis and/or cystitis and is known as an important cause of mortality in mink kits during the early growth season. Antimicrobial flock treatment has been routinely applied as preventive/therapeutic protocol on Danish mink farms with increased mortality associated with MUTD. The therapeutic effect of this treatment strategy has not previously been investigated. In this study, we applied controlled parallel group treatment trials to assess the effect of sulfadiazine/trimethoprim and amoxicillin treatment on mortality associated with MUTD in mink kits. On farm A, eight mink kits were diagnosed with MUTD post mortem in the treatment group (n = 1920, sulfadiazine/trimethoprim treatment: 30 mg/kg, q 24 h, P.O for 5 days) compared to 16 in the untreated control group (n = 1920). No significant difference in mortality associated with MUTD were found between  the treatment and the control group using the Fisher's exact test (P = 0.15). Treatment group 2 (n = 1920, amoxicillin treatment: 14 mg/kg q 24 h, P.O for 5 days) and treatment group 3 (n = 2088, amoxicillin treatment: 7.5 mg/kg q 24 h, P.O for 5 days) were investigated on farm B. Eight and four mink kits were diagnosed with MUTD post mortem in group 2 and 3, respectively. No difference between occurrence of MUTD were found between the control group and treatment group 2 (P = 0.42) or treatment group 3 (P = 0.75). No significant difference between final body weights or weight gain were found between treatment and control weighing groups on farm A or B. In conclusion, antimicrobial treatment administered in the feed showed no significant effect on weight gain or mortality associated with MUTD on the farms included in this study.

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.

Management of Urologic Conditions in Small Ruminants.

Small ruminants frequently experience urologic conditions, such as obstructive urolithiasis, posthitis, vulvitis, and urinary tract infections. Urologic conditions are more common in male small ruminants, especially castrated males, primarily due to their anatomy. Traditionally, urologic conditions warranted culling from the herd without significant efforts in treatment. However, more goats and sheep are now being kept as pets. Small ruminant owners have strong emotional attachments to their animals and are more likely to seek treatment of medical disorders, including urologic conditions. Surgical or medical treatments are available. Conditions also may be avoided through hydration, diet, hygiene, and other means.

Association between Neospora caninum seropositivity and reproductive disorders in girolando cows / [Associação entre a soropositividade para Neospora caninum e distúrbios reprodutivos em vacas girolando]

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in Girolando cows, in order to evaluate the association between seropositivity and reproductive disorders. Blood samples were collected from 40 dairy cows in their reproductive phase from the cranial superficial epigastric vein. The blood samples were tested using the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) to detect anti-N.caninum antibodies. The serological results were used to verify whether there was any association with the manifestation of reproductive disorders based on data from the records of reproductive history from 2017 to 2018 as well as the clinical observations of the herd throughout this study. The Fisher exact test was used to verify the existence of an association between the serology and reproductive disorders, adopting a 95% confidence level. The serological results showed a 27.5% seroprevalence in the herd for N. caninum, however, after statistical analysis, no association between seropositivity and reproductive disorders was found in the evaluated herd. Although the studied population is infected with Neospora caninum, we can infer that anti-Neospora caninum antibodies present in Girolando dairy cows at the UFRRJ Dairy Cattle Facility are not associated with the occurrence of reproductive disorders.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em vacas Girolando, avaliando-se a associação entre a soropositividade e os distúrbios reprodutivos. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue da veia epigástrica superficial cranial de 40 vacas leiteiras em fase reprodutiva, sendo as amostras testadas pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) para detecção de anticorpos anti-N. caninum. A partir dos resultados sorológicos, foi realizada a verificação de associação, ou não, com a manifestação de distúrbios reprodutivos, coletados nos registros de histórico reprodutivo entre 2017 e 2018 e observações do rebanho no transcorrer do estudo. O teste exato de Fisher foi utilizado para verificar a existência de associação entre a sorologia e os distúrbios reprodutivos, adotando-se nível de confiança de 95%. O resultado do estudo demonstrou uma soroprevalência no rebanho de 27,5% para N. caninum, contudo, após análise estatística, não foi confirmada a associação entre soropositividade e distúrbios reprodutivos no rebanho avaliado. Apesar de a população estudada estar infectada com o Neospora caninum, pode-se inferir que anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum presentes em vacas leiteiras Girolando do Setor de Bovinocultura de Leite da UFRRJ não estão associados à ocorrência de distúrbios reprodutivos.(AU)

Familial disease history and fur color type are associated with urinary tract disease in farmed mink (Neovison vison).

Mink urinary tract disease (MUTD) and mink fatty liver disease (MFLD) constitute two important disease entities in the mink production associated with sudden mortality and economic loss. Genetic factors or heritability of the diseases have not previously been investigated. Since mortality associated with MUTD and MFLD mainly occurs in the young immature mink, a potential genetic predisposition would rarely be passed on by the mink itself but potentially by relatives. This study aimed to investigate familial aggregation of MUTD and MFLD based on data from four generations of mink on a research farm. The study included a total of 27,511 mink of brown and black color type with a post mortem prevalence of 0.8% for MUTD (n = 221) and 0.5% for MFLD (n = 138) within a year from birth. The prevalence in the color types brown and black were 0.6% and 1.6% for MUTD and 0.5% and 0.7% for MFLD. Family history of MUTD in breeding animals was found to be associated with a significantly higher probability of MUTD leading to mortality in offspring (p = 0.012, RR = 1.7; CI [1.1-2.4]), however this association was not significant for MFLD (p = 0.163, RR = 1.5; CI [0.9-2.7]). Mink of the color type black showed significantly higher risk of MUTD (RR = 2.6; CI [2.0-3.3]) and MFLD (R = 1.6; CI [1.1-2.2]) compared to brown mink. The results indicate that genetic factors may play a role in understanding MUTD and that selective breeding may contribute to reduce mortalities associated with this disease.

Plants Containing Urinary Tract, Gastrointestinal, or Miscellaneous Toxins that Affect Livestock.

Whether exposed by grazing toxic range or pasture plants or by eating contaminated feed, there are plant toxins that produce urinary tract disease, gastroenteritis, and other miscellaneous or multisystemic diseases. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires incorporation of field studies, clinical signs, gross and microscopic pathology, and chemical identification of plants, toxins, and metabolites in animal samples. The objectives of this review are to introduce poisonous plants that commonly poison livestock in North America; describe clinical and pathologic lesions they produce in livestock; and present current technology available to identify poisoning, treat affected animals, and minimize or avoid poisoning additional animals.

Evaluation of urethral orifice cross-section dimensions following perineal urethrostomy in male cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were: (1) To evaluate the urethral orifice cross-section size immediately and 12 days post-operatively following a perineal urethrostomy procedure. (2) To assess the correlation between the cross-section size and stricture formation during a 6-month period following the perineal urethrostomy. ANIMALS: Twenty-four male cats with feline lower urinary tract disease that failed to respond to medical treatment and underwent perineal urethrostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The urethral orifice cross-section size was estimated by the largest size of the urinary catheter that was possible to insert facilely through the urethrostomy site. The urethral orifice cross-section size was measured in three different times: Pre-operative (LUCpr), immediately post-operative (LUCi) and 12 days post-operative (LUCp). Urinary obstruction recurrence and urethrostomy site stricture formation were documented for 6 months after the surgical procedure. The probabilities for obstruction recurrence in cases of LUCi ≤ 8Fr and LUCi > 8Fr were calculated. RESULTS: Urinary obstruction and urethrostomy site stricture occurred in 5 of 24 (~20%) of the operated cats at an average of 92 ± 25 days post-perineal urethrostomy. LUCi ranged from 6 to 10 (median 10) Fr and the LUCp ranged from 4 to 10 (median 8) Fr. There was a significant decrease of 0.15 ± 0.09 mm2 of the urethral orifice cross-section area 12 days post-operative compared to the measurements taken immediately post-operative. The probabilities for post-operative urinary obstruction of the LUCi ≤ 8Fr cases (intra-operative urethral orifice cross-section area equal or larger than 5.5 mm2 ) and in the LUCi > 8Fr cases were 44 and 6%, respectively. Recurrence of obstruction was documented in all cases (three cats) in which LUCi was 6Fr. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The largest size of the urinary catheter that is possible to insert during surgery is a simple method to evaluate urethrostomy cross-section size. Contraction of the urethral orifice diameter is expected during the wound healing phase. Post-operative urinary obstruction is more likely in cases where LUCi < 8Fr.