ABSTRACT
Although only recently discovered, feline adrenal disorders are becoming increasingly more recognized. Feline adrenal disorders include diseases such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome) and hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome). The clinical signs of feline hyperadrenocorticism, which include unregulated diabetes mellitus and severe skin atrophy, are unique to the cat. Other signs of feline hyperadrenocorticism, such as potbellied appearance, polydipsia, polyuria, and susceptibility to infections are also seen in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. Conn's syndrome has only recently been described in the cat and is in fact more common in cats than in dogs. Characterized by severe hypokalemia, hypertension, and muscle weakness, Conn's syndrome may be misdiagnosed as renal failure. The clinician should become familiar with the clinical signs of adrenal disorders in cats and the common diagnostic tests used to diagnose these syndromes in cats as they differ from those in the dog. Treatment of feline adrenal disorders may be challenging; the clinician should become familiar with common drugs used to treat adrenal disorders in cats.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Diseases/veterinary , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Cushing Syndrome/veterinary , Hyperaldosteronism/veterinary , Adrenal Gland Diseases/diagnosis , Adrenal Gland Diseases/pathology , Age Factors , Animals , Cat Diseases/pathology , Cats , Creatinine/urine , Cushing Syndrome/diagnosis , Cushing Syndrome/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Hydrocortisone/urine , Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis , Hyperaldosteronism/pathology , Male , Risk Factors , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Transfusion of blood products is a frequent necessity in small animal practice. Transfusion medicine has become more sophisticated with increased access to blood components, knowledge of blood types, and cross-matching requirements. Although potentially life saving, this procedure does carry some risk. In addition to selecting the appropriate blood product, several steps need to be completed to prepare the product for administration and the patient for receiving a transfusion.
Subject(s)
Blood Component Transfusion/veterinary , Blood Grouping and Crossmatching/veterinary , Animals , Blood Component Transfusion/methods , Blood Grouping and Crossmatching/methods , Cats , DogsABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to collect initial data to determine the potential clinical usefulness of a 13C-aminopyrine demethylation blood test, and whether additional clinical investigation is warranted. Six dogs, initially suspected of having hepatic disease based on their history, physical examination, imaging studies, general laboratory parameters, or any combination of the above, were enrolled in the study. A baseline blood sample was collected, 2 mg/kg 13C-aminopyrine was administered intravenously, and another blood sample was collected 45 min afterwards. Carbon dioxide was extracted from the blood samples and analyzed using fractional mass spectrometry. Results from the 13C-aminopyrine demethylation blood test were compared to clinical data and histologic findings. Intravenous administration of 13C-aminopyrine leads to a decrease in the percent dose of 13C recovered from dogs with histologically confirmed liver disease. Based on our results, a full-scale investigation of the potential clinical usefulness of a 13C-aminopyrine demethylation blood test for assessment of hepatic function in dogs is warranted.
