Comparison of health parameters in normal cats fed a limited iodine prescription food vs a conventional diet.

Objectives The objective was to compare the effect on thyroid function in healthy, adult cats fed a limited-iodine food or conventional diet for 24 months. Methods Cats in the limited-iodine group (n = 14) were fed a commercial, dry food containing 0.2 ppm iodine on a dry-matter basis (DMB).

Feline idiopathic cystitis.

While FIC remains a diagnosis of exclusion, studies over the last two decades suggest that it results from complex interactions between the urinary bladder, neuroendocrine system and environmental factors, and stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis. The self-limiting nature of FIC and importance of environmental factors on recurrence of clinical signs emphasize the need for controlled, prospective, double-blinded clinical studies to determine the best management options. Current best evidence for initial management of acute, non-obstructive FIC supports a specific nutritional recommendation for a therapeutic urinary food proven to reduce recurrent episodes, environmental enrichment and feeding moist food.

Therapies for feline chronic kidney disease. What is the evidence?

Successful treatment and prevention of kidney disease in pet animals requires a multidimensional approach to identify and eliminate causes or exacerbating factors, provide professional examination and care on a regular basis, and plan and implement a comprehensive treatment program when necessary. Over the years, many therapeutic and preventive interventions have been developed or advocated for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but evidence of efficacy or effectiveness is often lacking or highly variable. Accordingly, the main objective of this systematic review was to identify and critically appraise the evidence supporting various approaches to managing feline CKD; namely, fluid therapy, calcitrioi therapy, antihypertensive therapy, ACE inhibitor therapy, erythropoietic hormone replacement therapy, potassium supplementation, antioxidant supplementation, alkalinization therapy, dietary phosphorus restriction and intestinal phosphate binders, therapeutic renal foods, assisted feeding, dialysis and renal transplantation.

Paradigm changes in the role of nutrition for the management of canine and feline urolithiasis.

Results of experimental and clinical investigation have confirmed the importance of dietary modifications in medical protocols designed to promote dissolution and prevention of uroliths. The objectives of medical management of uroliths are to arrest further growth and to promote urolith dissolution by correcting or controlling underlying abnormalities. For therapy to be most effective, it must promote undersaturation of urine with lithogenic crystalloids by 1) increasing the urine solubility of crystalloids, 2) increasing the volume of urine in which crystalloids are dissolved or suspended, and 3) reducing the quantities of lithogenic crystalloids in urine.

Comparison of student performance after lecture-based and case-based/problem-based teaching in a large group.

The purpose of this study was to compare traditional lecture-based (LB) and case-based/problem-based (CB/PB) learning in a large group. Year 3 veterinary students at Kansas State University were asked to participate in a randomized controlled study. Students were grouped and randomly assigned to be taught by a CB/PB or a LB method.

Evidence-based management of feline lower urinary tract disease.

Many treatments have been recommended for managing cats with feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Veterinarians making therapeutic decisions should consider the quality of evidence supporting a recommendation to use (or not use) a particular treatment for cats with FLUTD. Whenever possible, recommendations should be based on results of randomized and well-controlled scientific studies performed in clinical patients with the spontaneously occurring disease of interest.

Association between clinical characteristics, computed tomography characteristics, and histologic diagnosis for cats with sinonasal disease.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the association between clinical characteristics, computed tomography (CT) characteristics, and histologic diagnosis in 43 cats with sinonasal disease. All cats were evaluated with CT and nasopharyngeal endoscopic examination, with histologic diagnosis based on nasal biopsy. Fifteen cats were diagnosed with sinonasal neoplasia and 28 cats were diagnosed with rhinitis.

Measurement of urinary glycosaminoglycans in dogs.

Objectives: To measure urine concentrations of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), determine optimal storage conditions for urine samples, establish a reference range, and determine whether there is correlation between 24-hour total urine GAG excretion and the GAG-to-creatinine ratio (GCR).

Animals: 14 healthy adult dogs.

Procedure: Single urine sample GAG concentrations and GCRs were measured in samples collected from 14 healthy dogs at the start of the 24-hour collection period.

Renal biopsy: a retrospective study of methods and complications in 283 dogs and 65 cats.

Renal biopsy often is required to establish a definitive diagnosis in dogs and cats with renal disease. In this retrospective study, we determined the complications of renal biopsy as well as factors that may be associated with development of complications and procurement of adequate renal biopsy specimens in 283 dogs and 65 cats. Data extracted from medical records at 4 institutions were evaluated using logistic regression.

New and unusual causes of acute renal failure in dogs and cats.

This article provides a source for easy reference, summarizing in one location newly recognized and unusual causes of acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs and cats. Several of the causes discussed in this article have been described previously. New or unusual causes of ARF in dogs and cats include infectious diseases (leptospirosis,borreliosis, and babesiosis), nephrotoxicants (aminoglycosides,vitamin D, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and plant material (lilies and raisins/grapes).

Diagnostic approach to hematuria in dogs and cats.

Hematuria indicates the presence of urogenital disease in dogs and cats. Persistent hematuria (macroscopic or microscopic) should be evaluated to determine the source of bleeding and the underlying cause so that appropriate treatment can be recommended. Results of the history and physical examination often help to localize disease to the urinary tract (either upper or lower) or genital tract.

Effect of fenoldopam on renal function after nephrotomy in normal dogs.

Objective: To evaluate effects of fenoldopam on renal function in normal dogs subjected to bisection nephrotomy. In addition, effects of bisection nephrotomy on renal function in normal dogs were evaluated.

Study Design: Controlled, randomized, blinded experiment.

Chronic vomiting associated with a gastric carcinoid in a cat.

A geriatric domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of chronic vomiting. Chronic renal failure was diagnosed on the basis of physical examination findings and results of a serum biochemical profile and urinalysis. Endoscopically obtained gastric biopsies were suggestive of a carcinoid tumor.