Effective removal of gadolinium with hemodialysis in a dog with severe acute on chronic kidney injury.

Objective: To describe the use of intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) to remove gadolinium (28.1 mg/kg dose) in a dog with severe kidney disease.

Case Summary: A 12-year-old neutered female Yorkshire Terrier presented with severe acute-on-chronic kidney injury and concurrent neurological signs.

Use of haemodiafiltration in the treatment of massive caffeine intoxication in a dog.

The objective of this case report is to describe the use of extracorporeal therapy, specifically hemodialfiltration, for the treatment of caffeine intoxication. A 12 year old Border Terrier consumed up to 1440 mg/kg of caffeine and rapidly developed clinical signs of tachycardia and tremors. Hemodiafiltration was instituted, using an M60 PrismaFlex cartridge using blood to prime the system due to patient size.

Hemodialysis catheter-associated fibrin sheath in a dog.

Objective: To describe an intravascular fibrin sheath associated with a hemodialysis catheter in a dog.

Case Summary: A 4-year-old dog presented for hemodialysis to treat acute kidney injury. Hemodialysis catheter dysfunction during the course of treatment was temporarily alleviated using a tissue plasminogen activator.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS--URINARY BLADDER DUPLICATION IN A CAT.

A female kitten presented for chronic, intermittent, antibiotic-responsive urinary incontinence and chronic kidney disease. Abdominal ultrasound identified bilateral pelvic/ureteral dilation and three closely apposed thin-walled fluid-filled structures in the caudal abdomen, extending toward the pelvic inlet. Excretory urography and negative contrast cystography identified contrast medium accumulation from the dilated ureters into two tubular soft tissue masses of the caudal abdomen, with subsequent gradual filling of a more cranially located urinary bladder.

Long-term outcome of cats and dogs with acute kidney injury treated with intermittent hemodialysis: 135 cases (1997-2010).

Objective: To determine the long-term outcome for small animal patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) treated with intermittent hemodialysis (IHD).

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 42 cats and 93 dogs treated with IHD for AKI.

Treatment of accidental ethanol intoxication with hemodialysis in a dog.

Objective: To describe the successful treatment of accidental ethanol intoxication with hemodialysis in a dog.

Case Summary: A 1.5-year-old female intact mixed breed dog was presented in a comatose state believed to be due to ethanol intoxication.

The prevalence of microalbuminuria and proteinuria in cats with diabetes mellitus.

The prevalence of microalbuminuria (MA) and proteinuria was evaluated in 66 cats with diabetes mellitus (DM), 35 nondiabetic cats with other illness, and 11 healthy nondiabetic cats with use of the E.R.D.

Equipment commonly used in veterinary renal replacement therapy.

Hemodialysis is a highly technical procedure that requires specialized equipment that is not used in other areas of veterinary medicine. Certain hemodialysis-specific monitoring equipment is also employed.

Vascular access for extracorporeal renal replacement therapy in veterinary patients.

Vascular access is the first and most basic requirement for successful extracorporeal renal replacement therapy (ERRT). Dual-lumen catheters are the most commonly used method of vascular access for ERRT in veterinary patients. An adequately functioning dialysis catheter allows for smooth and efficient patient management, whereas a poorly functioning catheter frustrates the technician, doctor, and patient.

Hemodialysis in a dog with acute renal failure from currant toxicity.

A 3 1/2-year-old Labrador retriever being presented for acute onset vomiting and lethargy was diagnosed with acute renal failure (ARF). The dog had ingested dried currants, a type of raisin. Hemodialysis was successfully performed to treat the ARE Raisin toxicity can cause ARF and warrants early recognition and aggressive treatment.

Acute intrinsic renal failure in cats: 32 cases (1997-2004).

Objective: To determine patient demographics, clinicopathologic findings, and outcome associated with naturally acquired acute intrinsic renal failure (ARF) in cats.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 32 cats with ARF.

Hyperthyroidism and the kidney.

Hyperthyroidism and chronic renal failure (CRF) are both common diseases of older cats. Hyperthyroidism increases GFR by a variety of physiologic effects. Chronic renal failure can suppress total T4 concentrations in cats with concurrent hyperthyroidism, and free T4 is not a useful distinguishing test.

Urinalysis interpretation: how to squeeze out the maximum information from a small sample.

The urinalysis is an essential part of the diagnostic evaluation for all urinary and many metabolic diseases. Its assessment includes evaluation of physical characteristics (color, clarity, and volume), biochemical parameters (urine pH, blood, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, and protein) and microscopic sediment evaluation (RBC, WBC, organisms, epithelial cells, crystals, and casts). Many of these parameters are influenced by collection method and therefore, it is essential to interpret accordingly.

The use of erythropoietin.

EPO is a hematopoietic growth factor produced in the kidney that stimulates erythropoiesis. It effectively treats hypoproliferative anemia associated with CRF, improving quality of life in these patients. Other uses that are poorly characterized in veterinary medicine include treatment of cancer patients on chemotherapy, hematologic disorders, and anemic FeLV-infected cats as well as preoperative conditioning for elective surgeries that may involve significant blood loss.

Leptospirosis. A re-emerging zoonotic disease.

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease that occurs in dogs in urban and rural environments. It is caused by a filamentous spiral bacterium that has a predilection for renal tubules. Acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and hemorrhagic diathesis are the most common clinical signs.

Acute renal failure caused by lily ingestion in six cats.

Acute renal failure was diagnosed in 6 cats that had ingested Easter lily or tiger lily plants. All 6 were treated medically; 2 underwent hemodialysis. Three cats survived the acute episode, and although they had chronic renal failure, they survived for more than 1.

Cryptococcal pyelonephritis in a dog.

A 5-year-old castrated male Golden Retriever was evaluated for polyuria, polydipsia, and progressive regurgitation thought to be a result of bacterial pyelonephritis and megaesophagus. Bacteriologic culture of urine failed to yield clinically relevant growth, and results of a urine sediment examination were normal. With time, intention tremors and progressive neurologic dysfunction were also observed.