Comparison of radiographic methods for detecting radiolucent uroliths in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare positive cystography techniques at 5%, 10%, and 20%, as well as three different double-contrast protocols for detecting radiolucent uroliths with a diameter of less than 3.0 mm in dogs. Six cadavers were used, one was selected at random to represent the negative control, and the others were submitted to urolith implantation in the bladder by urethral catheter. Three radiology professionals blindly accessed ventrodorsal and -lateral projections of each test. Contrast at 20% showed greater diagnostic sensitivity, but with greater difficulty identifying the number and size of the uroliths. Consequently, double-contrast techniques are better and should be used for diagnostic and therapeutic planning. Sensitivity and specificity tests demonstrated that positive 5% cystography and different concentrations of double contrast obtained better results in terms of sensitivity and specificity. However, due to the presence of a greater amount of artifacts in the 5% cystography, it is suggested that double contrast is used for this purpose, especially with the removal of contrast excess (protocol 2).

Learning curve for the laparoscopy-guided kidney biopsy procedure in small corpses of dogs and pigs.

The use of renal biopsy through laparoscopy is increasingly present both in human and veterinary medicine. However, both techniques require skill and training to make the operator capable to do it. The learning curve allows the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the number of attempts and minimum time for the surgical procedure. The objective included establish the learning curve for laparoscopy-guided kidney biopsy procedures in dog and pig corpses. Six dogs and six pigs corpses weighing less than 10 kg were used for this study. All corpses underwent kidney biopsy performed through laparoscopy. Twenty-four operators, two per animal, performed 20 renal biopsies each (10 for each kidney), with 480 collection-procedures in total. Duration and difficulty of the procedure and the biopsy sample quality were evaluated and statistical analysis was performed using a mixed regression model with a random effect of individuals and multivariate analysis of data. There were 91.5% of the samples that were adequate for evaluation. There was no significant difference in the number of glomeruli or cortex percentage considering the attempts in either species, demonstrating the operator's ability since first collection. Swine samples showed higher amounts of renal cortex than canine samples. The procedure duration was shorter as more attempts were performed in dogs and pigs. From the fourth repetition, the professional reached a plateau for the variable related to 'collection', and from the second, the professional presented uniform duration for 'sample storage'. Operators of the swine model acquired more agility than the dog ones. The variable 'difficulty' decreased as more repetitions were performed, reaching a plateau in the sixth attempt. Seven renal biopsies laparoscopy-guided are required for an operator to be considered 'capable' to perform the procedure in the referred species included. The learning curve for image-guided kidney biopsy procedures improves the implementation of this technique and benefits patients that undergo this procedure.

A Rare Case of Urogenital, Pelvic, and Tail Duplication in a Dog.

We describe a case of congenital duplication involving urogenital organs, pelvis and tail in a dog diagnosed by ultrasound scanning, retrograde urethrocystography, and excretory urography. Left nephrectomy, cystectomy, urethral resection, orchidectomy, penectomy, and caudectomy were the treatment options for this case. No spine or intestinal alteration was observed by radiography. After the surgery, the patient condition was assessed for one year. No significant changes were observed in ambulation or in laboratory test results during this period, including normal urination. The patient is currently 6 years old, and is in good condition and with quality of life.

Acromegaly in dogs and cats.

Acromegaly is an endocrine disease that leads to elevated production and secretion of growth hormone (GH). It can occur in adult and aged cats and is usually associated with neoplasms, such as functional pituitary macroadenoma of somatotropic cells. In dogs it is usually related to an increase in serum progesterone that induces production of GH by the mammary glands. The main clinical signs are related to insulin resistance and the anabolic effect induced by GH: polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, increased tissue growth, weight gain, prognathism, and other changes. The condition can be diagnosed from clinical signals and imaging associated to measurement of serum concentrations of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1, also known as somatomedin C). The main therapeutic modalities are radiotherapy, hypophysectomy, and several drugs such as somatostatin analogs, dopaminergic agonists and GH receptor antagonists. The present review aims to provide a relevant animal model of acromegaly with an update on the therapeutic approach that may help clinicians to consider the GH axis-IGF-1 system, its pathogenesis and the clinical signs induced by this hormonal disorder.