The use of autologous skeletal muscle progenitor cells for adjunctive treatment of presumptive urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in female dogs.

BACKGROUND: Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) is a common problem in female dogs, but some dogs fail to achieve continence with standard treatment. Urethral submucosal injection of autologous skeletal muscle progenitor cells (skMPCs) previously has been shown to restore urethral function in a canine model of USMI. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: To determine if urethral submucosal injection of skMPC alters continence in dogs with USMI that had previously failed standard medical management. We hypothesized that the injections would lead to improved continence. ANIMALS: Fifteen client-owned dogs with USMI that had failed standard medical management. METHODS: Dogs were prospectively enrolled into a single-armed clinical trial. Once enrolled, a triceps muscle of each dog was biopsied; the tissue specimens were digested, cultured, and expanded to 100 million cells before injection into the urethral submucosa using a surgical approach. Continence was assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-injection using continence scores and urethral pressure profilometry. RESULTS: Median continence scores increased significantly from baseline at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Increases were seen in 14 of 15 dogs with 7, 6 or 1 dog achieving scores of 5, 4 or 3, respectively. Additional medication was required to achieve continence in all but 2 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Urethral submucosal injection of skMPC can be used adjunctively to improve continence in dogs with difficult to manage USMI. The procedure is labor intensive but well tolerated; most dogs will require continued medication to remain continent.

Appetite-stimulating effects of once-daily omeprazole in cats with chronic kidney disease: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Cats with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) often display clinical signs such as vomiting and decreased appetite, and frequently receive omeprazole or other acid suppressants despite a lack of evidence to support their use. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of once-daily PO omeprazole on appetite in cats with CKD. We hypothesized that omeprazole would improve subjective appetite assessments in cats with CKD. ANIMALS: Fourteen client-owned cats with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 2 or 3 CKD and hyporexia. METHODS: Cats were prospectively enrolled in a multi-institutional, double-blinded, randomized, crossover study to evaluate the effect of a 14-day trial of once-daily PO omeprazole (1 mg/kg) or placebo (lactose gel capsule) on vomiting frequency and appetite. A daily log was completed by the owner during all treatment and rest periods to assess appetite using a subjective, qualitative, and 5-point scoring system. Mixed model analyses of variance were performed to determine if average daily percentage food consumed or appetite score, as measured by subjective owner assessment, differed between treatments. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, a negligible but statistically significant difference in percentage of food consumed was observed between treatments (P = .04) with once-daily omeprazole treatment resulting in a 2.7% increase in food consumption compared to placebo. No significant difference, however, was found in appetite score, body weight, or serum creatinine concentration between treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Once-daily omeprazole does not markedly increase appetite in cats with CKD and should not be used as a first-line treatment in the absence of evidence of gastrointestinal ulceration.

Outcomes Following Balloon Dilation of Benign Urethral Strictures in Dogs: Eight Cases (2005-2018).

Balloon dilation has been described infrequently as a treatment for benign urethral strictures in dogs but is often a first-line therapeutic option for humans. Additional evidence is needed to evaluate the potential role of this procedure in veterinary medicine. The aim of the study was to describe the techniques used and evaluate the response to balloon dilation of benign urethral strictures in dogs. Medical records were reviewed from eight client-owned dogs who underwent balloon dilation of a benign urethral stricture over a 13 yr period in this retrospective case series. Clinical signs improved for five of eight dogs after a single balloon dilation during a follow-up period of 1 wk to 3 yr. After a second procedure, an additional dog demonstrated improvement for 5.5 yr. Adverse outcomes included urinary incontinence in two dogs and recurrent bacteriuria in four dogs. Findings suggest that balloon dilation is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of benign urethral strictures in dogs. Urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, and stricture recurrence are potential outcomes for dogs undergoing this procedure either as a result of the nature of the underlying disease or as a result of the procedure.