Association of proteinuria at time of diagnosis with survival times in dogs with lymphoma.

Background: Lymphoma has been implicated as a possible cause of proteinuria in dogs. However, information about the potential importance of proteinuria in dogs with lymphoma is limited.

Hypothesis: To determine if the presence of proteinuria at diagnosis was associated with median survival times in dogs with lymphoma and if lymphoma stage (I-V) or type (B vs T) were associated with the presence of proteinuria.

Correlation between urine anion gap and urine ammonia-creatinine ratio in healthy cats and cats with kidney disease.

Background: Ammonium excretion decreases as kidney function decreases in several species, including cats, and may have predictive or prognostic value in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Urine ammonia measurement is not readily available in clinical practice, and urine anion gap (UAG) has been proposed as a surrogate test.

Objectives: Evaluate the correlation between urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and UAG in healthy cats and those with CKD and determine if a significant difference exists between UAG of healthy cats and cats with CKD.

Development of a reference interval for urinary ammonia-to-creatinine ratio in feline patients.

Background: Disruption of acid-base homeostasis can lead to many clinical problems. Ammonia excretion by the kidneys is critical to maintaining acid-base homeostasis through bicarbonate production. Measurement of ammonia excretion may help determine if the kidneys are properly functioning in maintaining acid-base balance.

Successful multimodal treatment of extreme hypertriglyceridemia in a juvenile diabetic dog.

Objective: To describe the therapeutic protocol used to normalize severe hypertriglyceridemia in a dog.

Case Summary: A 7-month-old, 1.2-kg female Pomeranian presented with acute polyuria, polydipsia, and ocular discoloration.

Comparison of biochemical and hematologic values obtained via jugular venipuncture and peripheral intravenous catheters in dogs.

Background: Sampling from a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) might be a more efficient and less traumatic collection of blood for serum biochemistry (SB) or CBC than direct venipuncture (DV). Agreement between results of samples obtained by these methods has not been evaluated in dogs.

Objectives: The primary objectives were to determine whether sampling from PIVC could be used in place of DV for dogs.

Comparison of ophthalmic loteprednol etabonate and prednisolone acetate effects on adrenocortical response to ACTH in dogs.

Objective: This study served to compare the degree of adrenocortical suppression following a 2-week administration of loteprednol etabonate (LE) and prednisolone acetate (PA) ophthalmic drops.

Procedures: In this prospective double-masked triple-crossover study, 21 clinically healthy dogs were randomized to receive loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.5%, prednisolone acetate ophthalmic suspension 1%, or artificial tears (AT).

Establishment of an RI for the urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratio in dogs.

Background: Ammonia is produced and excreted by the kidney, contributing to systemic acid-base homeostasis through the production of bicarbonate. Disorders of acid-base balance can lead to many clinical problems and measuring ammonia excretion helps in determining if the kidneys are responding to acid-base challenges appropriately. Reference intervals are integral to clinical decision-making, and there is no current RI for the urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in dogs.

Effect of common storage temperatures and container types on urine protein : creatinine ratios in urine samples of proteinuric dogs.

Background: Preanalytic protein adsorption to polymer and glass container surfaces may decrease urine protein concentration measurements and urine protein: creatinine ratios (UPC).

Hypothesis/objectives: Urine stored in PC or glass containers will have lower UPC than urine stored in HP containers. The specific objective was to determine whether clinically relevant differences in UPC would be detected after storage in glass, PC, or HP containers using common storage times and temperatures.

Long-term safety and efficacy of AAV gene therapy in the canine model of glycogen storage disease type Ia.

Background: Viral mediated gene therapy has progressed after overcoming early failures, and gene therapy has now been approved for several conditions in Europe and the USA. Glycogen storage disease (GSD) type Ia, caused by a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase-α, has been viewed as an outstanding candidate for gene therapy. This follow-up report describes the long-term outcome for the naturally occurring GSD-Ia dogs treated with rAAV-GPE-hG6PC-mediated gene therapy.

Amniotic membrane transplantation for ligneous conjunctivitis in a doberman.

An approximately 2-year-old female Doberman Pinscher was referred for the evaluation of bilateral, chronic proliferative conjunctivitis. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral thick, opaque pseudomembranes originating from the conjunctivae that prevented visualization of the cornea and interior structures of the eye. Histopathological findings of biopsies of the pseudomembranes were consistent with ligneous conjunctivitis.

Resolution of nonurine transudative pleural effusion in a cat after removal of a hydronephrotic kidney.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 3-year-old spayed female Bengal cat was evaluated because of a history of bilateral pleural effusion and hydronephrosis of the right kidney. CLINICAL FINDINGS Cytologic analysis of a pleural fluid sample revealed characteristics of a pure transudate with a high percentage of lymphocytes. Results of fluid biochemical testing were not consistent with urine or chyle.

MRI findings in a dog with kernicterus.

A severe increase in total bilirubin coincided with a decline in neurologic status to comatose in a 9 yr old spayed female mixed-breed dog being treated for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. MRI of the brain was performed to investigate potential causes for the neurologic signs. MRI revealed bilaterally symmetrical hyperintensities within the caudate nuclei, globus pallidus, thalamus, deep cerebellar nuclei, and cortical gray matter on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, which coincided with areas of bilirubin deposition and neuronal necrosis (kernicterus) identified on necropsy examination.

Iron homeostasis and disorders in dogs and cats: a review.

Iron is an essential element for nearly all living organisms and disruption of iron homeostasis can lead to a number of clinical manifestations. Iron is used in the formation of both hemoglobin and myoglobin, as well as numerous enzyme systems of the body. Disorders of iron in the body include iron deficiency anemia, anemia of inflammatory disease, and iron overload.

Glycogen storage disease type Ia in canines: a model for human metabolic and genetic liver disease.

A canine model of Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa) is described. Affected dogs are homozygous for a previously described M121I mutation resulting in a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase-α. Metabolic, clinicopathologic, pathologic, and clinical manifestations of GSDIa observed in this model are described and compared to those observed in humans.

Adeno-associated virus-mediated correction of a canine model of glycogen storage disease type Ia.

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa; von Gierke disease; MIM 232200) is caused by a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphatase-alpha. Patients with GSDIa are unable to maintain glucose homeostasis and suffer from severe hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and lactic acidosis. The canine model of GSDIa is naturally occurring and recapitulates almost all aspects of the human form of disease.

Ocular manifestations of endocrine disease.

Small animal patients with endocrinopathies are at risk of developing many ophthalmic conditions resulting from endocrine hormone imbalances. Diabetic animals frequently develop cataracts but can also have numerous other ocular problems, including uveitis, keratopathy, retinopathy, and the effects of lipid derangements and systemic hypertension. Cushing's patients can develop complications from hyperlipidemia and hypertension and sometimes present with corneal disease.

A retrospective study of the relationship between tracheal collapse and bronchiectasis in dogs.

Tracheal collapse is common in middle age toy and miniature breed dogs. Cartilaginous defects have been identified histologically and are considered a form of chondromalacia. In addition to tracheal cartilaginous changes, concurrent lower airway histologic changes indicative of inflammation have been noted in dogs with tracheal collapse and these changes may lead t o concurrent bronchiectasis.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of extradural hematomas associated with intervertebral disc herniation in a dog.

Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed on a 4-year-old neutered female Rottweiler with bilateral pelvic limb paresis. On the myelogram, there was extradural spinal cord compression at the level of the T11-12 intervertebral disc. Inadvertent placement of epidural contrast medium also allowed identification of a 1-cm circular filling defect in the epidural space dorsal to the compressed spinal cord.