Serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in enalapril- or telmisartan-treated dogs with proteinuric chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition (RAASi) reduces intraglomerular pressure and is a standard therapy for dogs with proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD). RAASi can acutely decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR); however, its effects on the marker of GFR serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentration in dogs have not been specifically evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes, relative to pretreatment values, in serum SDMA concentrations in dogs with proteinuric CKD receiving RAASi therapy.

Association of four differently processed diets with plasma and urine advanced glycation end products and serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products concentration in healthy dogs.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), formed via the Maillard reaction (MR) during processing of foods, have been implicated in inflammatory and degenerative diseases in human beings. Cellular damage is primarily caused by AGE binding with the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) on cell membranes. An isoform of RAGE, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), acts as a decoy receptor binding circulating AGEs preventing cellular activation.

d,l-Methionine in combination with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid successfully dissolves spontaneously occurring infection-induced struvite urocystoliths in dogs: a pilot study.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of a urinary acidifier (d,l-methionine [Methio-Form]) and an antimicrobial agent (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid [Clavamox]) without changing diet for dissolving infection-induced struvite urocystoliths in dogs.

Animals: 14 dogs were recruited for this prospective study; 11 completed it and 3 dogs withdrew due to inability of the owners to administer the treatment (n = 2) or refusal of treatment by the dog (1).

Procedures: All dogs were administered d,l-methionine (approx initial dose of 75 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (22 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) based on urine culture and sensitivity.

Weight measurements result in improved accuracy and precision in preparation of cooked homemade diets for dogs.

Objective: Accurate measurement of ingredients for cooked homemade diets helps ensure diets are complete and balanced. Studies have demonstrated measuring dry dog food with measuring cups results in significant inaccuracy. Therefore, measuring ingredients by volume when preparing these diets may be inaccurate.

Urinary Tract Infections Treatment/Comparative Therapeutics.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is commonly encountered in small animal general practice. Within the past 5 years, there have been changes to terminology, such as the renaming of asymptomatic bacteriuria to subclinical bacteriuria, as well as paradigm shifts in the management of UTI. In general, there is an emphasis for responsible antimicrobial stewardship and selecting treatment based on urine culture and sensitivity and treating symptomatic bacterial UTI with a shorter duration of antimicrobials.

Management of a urethral tear with porcine small intestinal submucosa-augmented urethroplasty and balloon dilation for subsequent urethral stricture in a cat.

Case Description: As a result of vehicular trauma, a 3-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat sustained luxation of the sacrocaudal joint and a urethral tear.

Clinical Findings: Retrograde contrast urethrocystography revealed a urethral tear at the level of the ischiatic tuberosity. Conservative treatment for 7 days with a urethral catheter was unsuccessful.

Effect of a Leucine/Pyridoxine Nutraceutical on Caloric Intake and Body Composition of Obese Dogs Losing Weight.

The aim of this 29-week randomized, positively and negatively controlled study was to investigate whether a nutraceutical containing 1 g leucine and 13 mg pyridoxine can enhance weight loss while maintaining lean muscle mass in obese dogs. Twenty-four healthy, 2-year-old beagles were initially divided into obesification ( = 18) or ideal body weight groups ( = 6). After obesification, the 18 dogs were divided into three weight loss groups and fed one of the following over 12 weeks: nutraceutical with canned adult diet (CAD; ObN), placebo with CAD (ObP), or a canned therapeutic weight loss diet (WLD).

Lateral rhinotomy and coblation for treatment of a nasal hamartoma in a dog.

Case Description: A 4-year-old spayed female French Bulldog was referred for treatment of a suspected right-sided nasal angiofibroma associated with a 4-month history of unilateral nasal discharge and stertor.

Clinical Findings: The dog appeared healthy other than right-sided mucoid debris and decreased airflow through the right naris. The dog was anesthetized, and a large intranasal mass was observed obstructing the right nasal passage and abutting the nasal septum.

Quantified water intake in laboratory cats from still, free-falling and circulating water bowls, and its effects on selected urinary parameters.

Objectives: The study objectives were to determine if the method of water presentation (still [S], circulating [C] or free-falling [FF] bowl systems) influences daily water consumption in cats in a controlled environment, and whether differences in water intake affect urine relative super saturation (RSS) for calcium oxalate and struvite, urine specific gravity (USG), urine osmolality (Uosmol) and urine volume.

Methods: Sixteen healthy laboratory cats fed a dry diet were individually housed with urine collection systems. Each cat underwent a randomized 2 week crossover period with all bowl systems, allowing a 1 week acclimation period between each crossover.

Evaluation of three herbal compounds used for the management of lower urinary tract disease in healthy cats: a pilot study.

Objectives: Lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) occurs commonly in cats, and idiopathic cystitis (FIC) and urolithiasis account for >80% of cases in cats <10 years of age. Although several strategies have been recommended, a common recommendation is to induce dilute urine resulting in more frequent urination and to dilute calculogenic constituents. In addition to conventional therapy using modified diets, traditional Chinese and Western herbs have been recommended, although only one - choreito - has published data available.

Povidone iodine sclerotherapy for treatment of idiopathic renal hematuria in two dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 6-year-old spayed female Great Pyrenees (dog 1) and a 2-year-old spayed female German Shepherd Dog (dog 2) were evaluated because of gross hematuria of 5 and 2 months' duration, respectively. CLINICAL FINDINGS In both dogs, coagulation times were within reference limits, results of aerobic bacterial culture of urine samples were negative, echogenic debris could be seen within the urinary bladder ultrasonographically, and hematuric urine could be seen exiting the right ureterovesicular junction, with grossly normal urine exiting the left ureterovesicular junction, during cystoscopy. A diagnosis of idiopathic renal hematuria was made in both dogs.

Feline Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis: Risk factors and rational treatment approaches.

Practical Relevance: Uroliths occur commonly in the bladder and/or urethra of cats and can be lifethreatening if urethral obstruction occurs. Calcium oxalate accounts for 40-50% of urocystoliths and these stones are not amenable to medical dissolution; therefore, removal by surgery or minimally invasive techniques is required if uroliths must be treated. Medical protocols for prevention involve decreasing urine saturation for minerals that form uroliths.

Prevalence of asymptomatic urinary tract infections in morbidly obese dogs.

Background. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in dogs and, as in humans, cost of care has increased due to associated comorbidities. In humans, asymptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) may be more prevalent in the obese.

Evaluation of two raw diets vs a commercial cooked diet on feline growth.

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if two raw feline diets were nutritionally adequate for kittens. Methods Twenty-four 9-week-old kittens underwent an Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) 10 week growth feeding trial with two raw diet groups and one cooked diet group (eight kittens in each). Morphometric measurements (weight, height and length), complete blood counts, serum chemistry, whole blood taurine and fecal cultures were evaluated.

Apparent nutrient digestibility of two raw diets in domestic kittens.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate overall dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat and gross energy digestibility of a feline commercial raw diet and a homemade raw diet compared with a canned, heat-processed diet.

Methods: Six domestic shorthair kittens (20-28 weeks old) were fed three different diets in a Latin square crossover design. Diet A was a commercially available, canned, heat-processed diet.

Urolithiasis.

Uroliths occur commonly in the bladder and/or urethra of dogs and cats and can be life-threatening if urethral obstruction occurs. The majority of uroliths are composed of struvite or calcium oxalate; however, other minerals such as urate and cystine occur. Uroliths may be composed of more than one mineral.

Congenital diseases of the lower urinary tract.

Congenital lower urinary tract diseases occur with variable frequency and may result in clinical signs of urinary incontinence, urinary obstruction, or urination through abnormal openings. This article discusses diagnosis of congenital diseases of the urinary bladder and urethra and describes treatment of these disorders.

Urinalysis.

Performing a urinalysis should be part of a minimum database in addition to physical examination, historical information gathering, complete blood cell counts, and serum/plasma biochemical analysis. Urinalysis provides information on function of various organs and information on renal function. It is necessary to interpret blood urea nitrogen and serum/plasma creatinine concentrations and is useful in assessing urine concentrating and diluting ability, glomerular barrier function, tubular function, proteinuria, discolored urine, urolithiasis, and neoplasia.

Urinary tract infections: treatment/comparative therapeutics.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when there is compromise of host defense mechanisms and a virulent microbe adheres, multiplies, and persists in a portion of the urinary tract. Most commonly, UTI is caused by bacteria, but fungi and viruses are possible. Urine culture and sensitivity are the gold standards for diagnosis of bacterial UTI.

Evidence-based integrative medicine in clinical veterinary oncology.

Integrative medicine is the combined use of complementary and alternative medicine with conventional or traditional Western medicine systems. The demand for integrative veterinary medicine is growing, but evidence-based research on its efficacy is limited. In veterinary clinical oncology, such research could be translated to human medicine, because veterinary patients with spontaneous tumors are valuable translational models for human cancers.

Comparison of osmolality and refractometric readings of Hispaniolan Amazon parrot (Amazona ventralis) urine.

To evaluate the relationship between osmolality and specific gravity of urine samples from clinically normal adult parrots and to determine a formula to convert urine specific gravity (USG) measured on a reference scale to a more accurate USG value for an avian species, urine samples were collected opportunistically from a colony of Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Samples were analyzed by using a veterinary refractometer, and specific gravity was measured on both canine and feline scales. Osmolality was measured by vapor pressure osmometry.

Diagnostic accuracy of a point-of-care urine bacteriologic culture test in dogs.

Objective: To determine diagnostic accuracy of a compartmented bacteriologic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing plate (CCSP) for detection of bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates.

Design: Evaluation study.

Sample: 62 frozen, previously characterized bacterial isolates from canine urine cultures and 147 canine urine samples.

Influence of acidifying or alkalinizing diets on bone mineral density and urine relative supersaturation with calcium oxalate and struvite in healthy cats.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of acidifying or alkalinizing diets on bone mineral density and urine relative supersaturation (URSS) with calcium oxalate and struvite in healthy cats.

Animals: 6 castrated male and 6 spayed female cats.

Procedures: 3 groups of 4 cats each were fed diets for 12 months that differed only in acidifying or alkalinizing properties (alkalinizing, neutral, and acidifying).