Comparison of health parameters in normal cats fed a limited iodine prescription food vs a conventional diet.

Objectives The objective was to compare the effect on thyroid function in healthy, adult cats fed a limited-iodine food or conventional diet for 24 months. Methods Cats in the limited-iodine group (n = 14) were fed a commercial, dry food containing 0.2 ppm iodine on a dry-matter basis (DMB). Cats in the conventional diet group (n = 12) were fed an identical diet except that the iodine content was 3.2 ppm on a DMB. Both groups were maintained on their respective diets for 24 months. The median age of the cats at baseline was 3.2 years (interquartile range 2.4-4.3). Diagnostic samples were obtained for measurement of serum biochemistry parameters, thyroid hormone concentrations, complete blood count and urinalysis, and thyroid ultrasound examination was performed at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results Median serum concentrations of free and total thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were within respective reference intervals for both test groups at all sampling intervals. Median urine iodine concentrations in the limited-iodine group declined significantly ( P = 0.0001) from baseline and were significantly different than conventional diet ( P ⩽0.0007). Ultrasound examination revealed no significant change in median thyroid height in the limited-iodine group at any time point. Conclusions and relevance Normal serum thyroid hormone concentrations and results of urinalysis and routine biochemical testing confirmed that the limited-iodine food was safely fed for 2 years to healthy, adult cats. Ultrasound examination showing that cats on limited-iodine did not develop a change in thyroid gland height was a further indication of the absence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism in the limited iodine diet group. These results support the lack of obvious side effects associated with feeding a limited-iodine diet for 2 years to healthy, adult cats, a situation that may occur in multi-cat households where healthy cats have access to a limited-iodine diet being used to manage cats with feline hyperthyroidism.

Feline idiopathic cystitis.

While FIC remains a diagnosis of exclusion, studies over the last two decades suggest that it results from complex interactions between the urinary bladder, neuroendocrine system and environmental factors, and stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis. The self-limiting nature of FIC and importance of environmental factors on recurrence of clinical signs emphasize the need for controlled, prospective, double-blinded clinical studies to determine the best management options. Current best evidence for initial management of acute, non-obstructive FIC supports a specific nutritional recommendation for a therapeutic urinary food proven to reduce recurrent episodes, environmental enrichment and feeding moist food.

Comparison of student performance after lecture-based and case-based/problem-based teaching in a large group.

The purpose of this study was to compare traditional lecture-based (LB) and case-based/problem-based (CB/PB) learning in a large group. Year 3 veterinary students at Kansas State University were asked to participate in a randomized controlled study. Students were grouped and randomly assigned to be taught by a CB/PB or a LB method. Students took identical multiple-choice examinations, one given within a week of the last class and a different one given four months later. There was no direct effect of teaching method on group scores for either examination. CB/PB students scored higher on higher-difficulty questions on the first examination (p < 0.003), but there was no effect on questions of lower and medium difficulty. There was no effect of teaching method on student performance for the second examination; however, the question difficulty category scores were all different (p < 0.017). Evaluation of examination scores suggests that the two teaching methods were of similar efficacy.

Association between clinical characteristics, computed tomography characteristics, and histologic diagnosis for cats with sinonasal disease.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the association between clinical characteristics, computed tomography (CT) characteristics, and histologic diagnosis in 43 cats with sinonasal disease. All cats were evaluated with CT and nasopharyngeal endoscopic examination, with histologic diagnosis based on nasal biopsy. Fifteen cats were diagnosed with sinonasal neoplasia and 28 cats were diagnosed with rhinitis. Clinical characteristics determined to be significantly associated with neoplasia were unilateral ocular discharge (odds ratio [OR] 9.6) and the presence of a nasopharyngeal mass during endoscopic examination (OR 18.9). CT characteristics found to be significantly associated with neoplasia included: unilateral lysis of ethmoturbinates (OR 11.0), unilateral lysis of the dorsal (OR 8.3) and lateral maxilla (OR 6.9), lysis of the vomer bone (OR 6.7) and ventral maxilla (OR 28.8), and bilateral lysis of the orbital lamina (OR 4.1); unilateral abnormal soft tissue/fluid within the sphenoid sinus (OR 15.3), frontal sinus (OR 10.4), and/or and retrobulbar space (OR 12.2). Lysis of the maxillary turbinates, nasal septum, nasal bone, palatine bone, and cribriform plate were not significantly associated with sinonasal neoplasia.

Measurement of urinary glycosaminoglycans in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To measure urine concentrations of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), determine optimal storage conditions for urine samples, establish a reference range, and determine whether there is correlation between 24-hour total urine GAG excretion and the GAG-to-creatinine ratio (GCR). ANIMALS: 14 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURE: Single urine sample GAG concentrations and GCRs were measured in samples collected from 14 healthy dogs at the start of the 24-hour collection period. Twenty-four-hour total urine GAG excretions were determined from urine collected during a 24-hour period in the same 14 dogs. Total sulfated GAG concentrations were also measured in urine from these dogs after the urine had been stored at 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C for 1, 7, and 30 days. RESULTS: Urine GAG concentrations were not significantly different from baseline values after urine was stored at 4 degrees C for up to 1 day and -20 degrees C for up to 30 days. Neither single urine sample GAG concentration (R2, 0.422) nor GCR (R2, 0.084) was an adequate predictor of 24-hour total urine GAG excretion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study provide data that can be used to establish a reference range for 24-hour total urine GAG excretion in dogs and adequate conditions for sample storage. Contrary to findings in humans, there was no significant linear correlation between 24-hour total urine GAG excretion and single urine sample GCR in dogs, limiting clinical use of the single urine sample test.

Renal biopsy: a retrospective study of methods and complications in 283 dogs and 65 cats.

Renal biopsy often is required to establish a definitive diagnosis in dogs and cats with renal disease. In this retrospective study, we determined the complications of renal biopsy as well as factors that may be associated with development of complications and procurement of adequate renal biopsy specimens in 283 dogs and 65 cats. Data extracted from medical records at 4 institutions were evaluated using logistic regression. Proteinuria was the most common indication for renal biopsy in dogs. Complications were reported in 13.4 and 18.5% of dogs and cats, respectively. The most common complication was severe hemorrhage; hydronephrosis and death were uncommon. Dogs that developed complications after renal biopsy were more likely to have been 4 to < 7 years of age and > 9 years, to weigh < or = 5 kg, and to have serum creatinine concentrations > 5 mg/dL. The majority of biopsies from both dogs (87.6%) and cats (86.2%) were considered to be of satisfactory quality. Biopsies from dogs were more likely to be of high quality if they were obtained when the patient was under general anesthesia and more likely to contain only renal cortex if they were obtained by surgery. We concluded that renal biopsy is a relatively safe procedure, with a low frequency of severe complications. Hospital practices and patient variables have the potential to impact both the quality of the specimen obtained and the rate of complications.

Diagnostic approach to hematuria in dogs and cats.

Hematuria indicates the presence of urogenital disease in dogs and cats. Persistent hematuria (macroscopic or microscopic) should be evaluated to determine the source of bleeding and the underlying cause so that appropriate treatment can be recommended. Results of the history and physical examination often help to localize disease to the urinary tract (either upper or lower) or genital tract. Additional diagnostic evaluation, including laboratory testing(eg, urinalysis, urine culture), diagnostic imaging (eg, abdominal radiographs, ultrasound), and collection of tissues for cytologic or histopathologic evaluation, may be needed to identify the underlying cause. If a thorough evaluation fails to reveal the source or cause of hematuria, exploratory celiotomy should be considered,especially if idiopathic renal hematuria is possible.

New and unusual causes of acute renal failure in dogs and cats.

This article provides a source for easy reference, summarizing in one location newly recognized and unusual causes of acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs and cats. Several of the causes discussed in this article have been described previously. New or unusual causes of ARF in dogs and cats include infectious diseases (leptospirosis,borreliosis, and babesiosis), nephrotoxicants (aminoglycosides,vitamin D, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and plant material (lilies and raisins/grapes).

Effect of fenoldopam on renal function after nephrotomy in normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of fenoldopam on renal function in normal dogs subjected to bisection nephrotomy. In addition, effects of bisection nephrotomy on renal function in normal dogs were evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled, randomized, blinded experiment. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sixteen mixed-breed adult dogs. METHODS: Dogs were paired for sex, body weight, and approximate age and assigned to 1 of 2 groups: fenoldopam (F) or placebo (P). Baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on quantitative renal scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-DTPA, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), urinalysis, and urine culture were performed before surgery. Left nephrotomy was performed via median celiotomy. Group F dogs were administered intravenous (IV) fenoldopam (0.1 microg/kg/min) for 90 minutes, whereas group P dogs were administered an equivalent volume of saline (0.9 % NaCl) solution for 90 minutes. Temperature, heart rate, respiration, direct arterial blood pressure, and urine volume were recorded during anesthesia. Renal function was assessed by measuring SCr, BUN, and GFR at 1, 21, and 42 days after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in measured physiologic variables. No significant difference in GFR, BUN, or SCr between groups or between operated or control kidneys was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Bisection nephrotomy in normal dogs with renal arterial occlusion of 15 minutes and using a simple continuous capsular closure does not adversely affect renal function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bisection nephrotomy, as described in this study, does not decrease renal function; perioperative administration of renoprotective agents is not necessary in normal dogs.

Chronic vomiting associated with a gastric carcinoid in a cat.

A geriatric domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of chronic vomiting. Chronic renal failure was diagnosed on the basis of physical examination findings and results of a serum biochemical profile and urinalysis. Endoscopically obtained gastric biopsies were suggestive of a carcinoid tumor. Subsequently, an exploratory celiotomy with partial gastrectomy was performed. Histopathological and electron microscopic analysis of surgical biopsy specimens confirmed the diagnosis of a gastric carcinoid, which has not been previously reported in the cat. Following complete excision, the cat remained clinically stable and free of signs of gastrointestinal disease for 4 months before requiring treatment for progressive renal failure.