Position of maximal nasopharyngeal maximal occlusion in relation to hamuli pterygoidei: use of hamuli pterygoidei as landmarks for palatoplasty in brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of complete nasopharyngeal occlusion on respiratory signs in brachycephalic dogs. To determine the cranio-caudal position of rostral nasopharyngeal occlusion in relation to the hamuli pterygoidei in brachycephalic dogs. To determine whether using the hamuli pterygoidei as anatomical landmarks for palatoplasty results in clinical respiratory improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of dogs diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. The dogs were scored according to the severity of their clinical respiratory signs and the nasopharynx was CT scanned. The site of most rostral nasopharyngeal occlusion was measured in relation to the hamuli pterygoidei. Measurements were compared between brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome group, completely occluded and partially occluded groups. The hamuli pterygoidei were used as the most cranial landmarks for the palatoplasty incision, such that the incision was made at the point of maximal nasopharyngeal occlusion. Owners were interviewed through telephone for the medium-term follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five dogs were included. There was no significant association between the severity of respiratory clinical signs and extent of nasopharyngeal occlusion. Maximal nasopharyngeal occlusion was always located directly caudal to the hamuli pterygoidei (mean ±sd value of 9∙4 ±6∙5 mm). hamuli pterygoidei were easily palpable perioperatively in all cases. There was a significant improvement of clinical grades postoperatively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The hamuli pterygoidei are a reliable landmark for soft palate incision for palatoplasty in these cases but the distance between them and the site of maximal nasopharyngeal occlusion varied greatly.

Effects of dietary salt intake on renal function: a 2-year study in healthy aged cats.

BACKGROUND: Increasing salt intake to promote diuresis has been suggested in the management of feline lower urinary tract disease. However, high dietary salt intake might adversely affect blood pressure and renal function. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of increased salt intake on renal function in healthy aged cats. METHODS: This study was controlled, randomized, and blinded. Twenty healthy neutered cats (10.1 ± 2.4 years) were randomly allocated into 2 matched groups. One group was fed a high salt diet (3.1 g/Mcal sodium, 5.5 g/Mcal chloride) and the other a control diet of same composition except for salt content (1.0 g/Mcal sodium, 2.2 g/Mcal chloride). Clinical examination, glomerular filtration rate, blood pressure measurement, cardiac and kidney ultrasonography, and urinary and blood tests were performed before and over 24 months after diet implementation. Statistics were performed using a general linear model. RESULTS: Sixteen cats completed the 2 year study. The only variables affected by dietary salt intake were plasma aldosterone and urinary sodium/creatinine ratio, respectively, higher and lower in the control group all over the study period and urinary specific gravity, lower in the high salt diet group at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood pressure, and other routine clinical pathological variables in healthy aged cats were not affected by dietary salt content. The results of this 2 year study do not support the suggestion that chronic increases in dietary salt intake are harmful to renal function in older cats.