Ionized hypercalcemia can resolve with nutritional modification in cats with idiopathic hypercalcemia or chronic kidney disease.

Case Series Summary: Cats with ionized hypercalcemia that were fed diets with either more than 200 mg calcium per 100 kilocalories (kcal), a calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio greater than 1.4:1 or both, based on diet history, were included in this case series. Ionized hypercalcemia was documented at least twice in all cats before enrollment.

An early prediction model for canine chronic kidney disease based on routine clinical laboratory tests.

The aim of this study was to derive a model to predict the risk of dogs developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) using data from electronic health records (EHR) collected during routine veterinary practice. Data from 57,402 dogs were included in the study. Two thirds of the EHRs were used to build the model, which included feature selection and identification of the optimal neural network type and architecture.

Short-term efficacy of epidural pain management in dogs undergoing cystoscopy.

Background: The effects of epidural anesthesia in dogs undergoing cystoscopy are unknown.

Objective: To investigate the effect of epidural analgesia on postcystoscopy pain in dogs.

Animals: Twenty-six dogs undergoing routine cystoscopy for lower urinary tract disease.

Effects of calcifediol supplementation on markers of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in dogs is associated with hypovitaminosis D, increased parathyroid hormone (PTH), and increased fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) concentrations. Best practice for vitamin D metabolite supplementation in CKD-MBD remains unknown.

Objective: To provide an extended-release calcifediol supplement to dogs with CKD and to measure its effects on variables indicative of CKD-MBD.

Association between vitamin D metabolites, vitamin D binding protein, and proteinuria in dogs.

Background: Proteinuria has been associated with progression of renal disease and increased morbidity and mortality in dogs and people. In people, proteinuria also has been associated with hypovitaminosis D. Little is known about the relationship between vitamin D metabolism and proteinuria in dogs.

Association of abdominal effusion with a single decompressive cystocentesis prior to catheterization in male cats with urethral obstruction.

Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of abdominal effusion and its association with decompressive cystocentesis in male cats with urethral obstruction.

Design: Prospective observational clinical study.

Animals: Forty-five male neutered, client-owned cats with naturally occurring urethral obstruction.

Determination of a serum total calcium concentration threshold for accurate prediction of ionized hypercalcemia in dogs with and without hyperphosphatemia.

Background: Total serum calcium (tCa) concentrations are poorly predictive of ionized calcium (iCa) status in dogs.

Hypothesis: There is an optimal threshold of tCa concentration that is highly predictive of ionized hypercalcemia and this threshold is higher in hyperphosphatemic dogs as compared to nonhyperphosphatemic dogs.

Animals: Nonhyperphosphatemic (n = 1593) and hyperphosphatemic (n = 250) adult dogs.

Variability among four refractometers for the measurement of urine specific gravity and comparison with urine osmolality in dogs.

Background: Refractometry is often used in clinical veterinary medicine to estimate urine concentration. Variability among commonly-used refractometers has not been critically evaluated.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the variability of urine specific gravity (USG) among four refractometers and compare results of USG measurements with those of urine osmolality (U ), the gold standard for determining urine concentrations.

Variability of first morning urine specific gravity in 103 healthy dogs.

Background: Urine specific gravity (USG) is an integral part of the urinalysis and a key component of many clinical decisions, and fluctuations in USG have the potential to impact case management.

Objectives: To determine the intraindividual variability of first morning USG results in healthy dogs.

Animals: One hundred three healthy client-owned dogs.

Incidence of bacteriuria at presentation and resulting from urinary catheterization in feline urethral obstruction.

Objective: To determine the incidence of bacteriuria at the time of presentation and as a result of indwelling urethral catheterization in naturally occurring feline urethral obstruction (UO).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Vitamin D metabolism in dogs with and without hypercalciuric calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Background: There are abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism in people with calcium nephrolithiasis, but limited data are available on vitamin D status in dogs with calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis.

Objective: To compare serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in dogs with and without hypercalciuric CaOx urolithiasis.

Animals: Thirty-eight dogs with (n = 19) and without (n = 19) a history of CaOx urolithiasis and hypercalciuria.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw after long-term bisphosphonate treatment in a cat.

A 12-year-old, neutered female, domestic medium hair cat was evaluated for a nonhealing, oral mucosal ulceration. The cat had a history of idiopathic hypercalcemia that had been treated with a bisphosphonate for 41 months. Oral examination identified exposed maxillary bone adjacent to a previous extraction site.

Factors associated with survival in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with morbidity and mortality in dogs. Plasma fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) concentration is an independent predictor of CKD progression and survival in cats and people with CKD.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship among FGF-23, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D metabolites, and other clinical variables with survival time in dogs with CKD.

Effect of blood contamination on results of dipstick evaluation and urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio for urine samples from dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of blood contamination on dipstick results, specific gravity (SG), and urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio (UPCR) for urine samples from dogs and cats. SAMPLE Urine samples collected from 279 dogs and 120 cats. PROCEDURES Urine pools were made for each species (dogs [n = 60] and cats [30]).

Bilateral patellar fractures and increased cortical bone thickness associated with long-term oral alendronate treatment in a cat.

Case Summary: A 14-year-old cat presented with bilateral patellar fractures and radiographically thickened tibial cortices. This cat had been treated with alendronate for 8 years prior to presentation. To remove the subjectivity of the radiographic evaluation, tibial radiographs from 35 apparently healthy geriatric cats were used for comparison.

Urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein, albumin, vitamin D-binding protein, and retinol-binding protein as early biomarkers of chronic kidney disease in dogs.

Proteinuria is a marker and mediator of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In clinical practice, the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP/C) is of limited usefulness, because it indicates only the magnitude of proteinuria and not the origin of the loss (glomerular or tubular). The complete assessment of proteinuria includes quantitative and qualitative evaluations, both of which are required in order to optimize the therapy.

Safety of Benazepril in 400 Azotemic and 110 Non-Azotemic Client-Owned Cats (2001-2012).

This retrospective study examined cats after initiation of benazepril therapy to determine the frequency of systemic hypotension or elevations in serum creatinine and/or potassium. Medical records review identified azotemic and non-azotemic cats prescribed benazepril. Blood pressure was recorded at the first available time after initiation of therapy.

A Quick Reference on Hypercalcemia.

In dogs, neoplasia is the most common cause of hypercalcemia, followed by primary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and hypoadrenocorticism. In cats, idiopathic hypercalcemia is the most common cause, followed by chronic kidney disease and then neoplasia. Prognosis and treatment ultimately depend on the cause of the hypercalcemia.

A Quick Reference on Hypocalcemia.

Primary hypoparathyroidism should be considered in dogs with vague signs, including tremors, facial rubbing, and seizures. Ionized hypocalcemia should be considered in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy, especially lymphangiectasia caused by hypovitaminosis D. Ionized hypocalcemia typically occurs only in advanced chronic kidney disease.

Update on Feline Ionized Hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia in cats is recognized with increased frequency, especially idiopathic hypercalcemia, which is the most common cause. Idiopathic hypercalcemia seems to be unique to the cat, not occurring in the dog as a specific syndrome. There are many causes of hypercalcemia, and diagnosis relies on evaluation of clinical signs, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, and evaluation of calcium metabolic hormones.

A pilot study of toceranib/vinblastine therapy for canine transitional cell carcinoma.

Background: Effective therapies for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) are limited, with objective response rates to most chemotherapeutic regimens below 20%. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biologic activity of combined toceranib phosphate and vinblastine chemotherapy for treatment of TCC. A secondary objective was to compare the utility of Computed Tomography (CT) and abdominal ultrasound (AUS) in tumor response assessments.