Clinicopathological findings in five cats with paw calcification

This retrospective study describes the clinicopathological findings in five cats with soft tissue mineralisation of interdigital spaces and footpads. Paw disease was the reason for veterinary consultation in three out of five cats. All cats had laboratory findings suggestive of renal failure and high solubility product [calciumxphosphorus]. In all cases, cytological examination of paw lesions was suggestive of calcinosis. The results of our study agree with two previous case reports of paw calcification in the cat, suggesting a metastatic pathogenesis and a correlation between paw mineralisation and renal failure.     

Associations between proteinuria, systemic hypertension and glomerular filtration rate in dogs with renal and non-renal diseases

Proteinuria and systemic hypertension are well recognised risk factors in chronic renal failure (CRF). They are consequences of renal disease but also lead to a further loss of functional kidney tissue. The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between proteinuria, systemic hypertension and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dogs with naturally occurring renal and non-renal diseases, and to determine whether proteinuria and hypertension were associated with shorter survival times in dogs with CRF. Measurements of exogenous creatinine plasma clearance (ECPC), urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC), and Doppler sonographic measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) were made in 60 dogs with various diseases. There was a weak but significant inverse correlation between UPC and ECPC, a significant inverse correlation between SBP and ECPC and a weak but significant positive correlation between UPC and SBP. Some of the dogs with CRF were proteinuric and almost all were hypertensive. Neoplasia was commonly associated with proteinuria in the dogs with a normal ECPC. CRF was the most common cause leading to hypertension. In the dogs with CRF, hypertension and marked proteinuria were associated with significantly shorter survival times.     

Ultrasonography of the parathyroid glands in dogs--a review

The purpose of the study was to give an overview over the usefulness of ultrasonographic examination of parathyroid glands in dogs. By means of a 10 MHz high-resolution linear transducer it was possible to visualize parathyroid glands in healthy dogs. There was a positive correlation between body weight and size of the parathyroid glands, additionally the likelihood to detect 4 glands increased with an increase in body weight. Dogs with chronic renal failure had significantly larger parathyroid glands than healthy dogs and dogs with acute renal failure. In dogs with hypercalcemia of malignancy either none or parathyroids which were small in relation to body weight were detected. In contrast visualisation of parathyroid masses in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism was easy due to their increased size and anechoic appearance. In dogs with severe azotemia the ultrasonographic examination of the parathyroid glands is helpful to differentiate between acute and chronic renal failure, in dogs with hypercalcemia to differentiate between hypercalcemia of malignancy and hypercalcemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism.     

Juvenile nephropathy in two related Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies

Juvenile nephropathy has been documented in many breeds. Two related Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies presented at three and five months of age, respectively, for evaluation of lethargy, diarrhoea, poor body condition, polyuria and proteinuria. Based upon the clinical presentation, urinalysis and serum biochemistry, chronic renal failure was diagnosed. Renal histopathology was consistent with juvenile nephropathy, revealing lesions similar to the juvenile renal disease of dobermann dogs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of juvenile nephropathy in related Pembroke Welsh corgi dogs. Familial nephropathy should now be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of young Pembroke Welsh corgi dogs presenting with clinical signs indicating renal failure.     

Chronic renal failure in young dogs–possible renal dysplasia

The clinico-pathological findings are described in thirteen young dogs with advanced renal disease. All but three dogs were less than 2 years old. Some had signs of renal dysfunction since birth. Presenting signs were variable but anorexia, lethargy and weight loss were most frequent. All dogs had raised blood urea levels and most passed dilute urine; proteinuria and anaemia were variable findings. At necropsy all dogs had extra-renal lesions of renal failure and finely granular or lobulated, shrunken kidneys. The microscopical appearances of the kidneys were not those of amyloidosis, inflammatory or glomerular disease but were considered likely to be of developmental origin. The renal lesions were divided into three histologically distinct groups.

• 1 Predominantly cystic and connective tissue changes, characterized by striking dilatation of glomerular capsular spaces and cortical tubules.
• 2 Atypical connective tissue changes in which there were segmental bands of fibrous tissue containing primitive glomerular and tubular structures.
• 3 Predominantly glomerular and connective tissue changes, characterized by varying degrees of glomerulosclerosis and widespread calcification of glomeruli, tubules and blood vessels.

All groups had cortical and medullary interstitial fibrosis but minimal inflammatory cell infiltrates.     

Synovial Hemangioma in a Dog

Objective— To report arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of synovial hemangioma in a dog.
Study Design— Case report.
Animal— Standard Poodle (8-year-old neutered male).
Methods— A soft tissue density mass observed radiographically in the left stifle joint of a dog with a 2-month history of recurrent lameness, hemarthrosis, and a slight cranial drawer sign, was located by diagnostic arthroscopy and surgically excised via arthrotomy.
Results— Histologic evaluation revealed tissue composed of variably sized cavernous vascular spaces filled with erythrocytes that were considered compatible with synovial hemangioma.
Conclusions— In this dog, synovial hemangioma evident as a soft tissue mass on radiographs was associated with chronic lameness and hemarthrosis, and resolved with surgical excision.
Clinical Relevance— Synovial hemangioma, although seemingly rare in dogs, should be considered in the differential diagnosis for nontraumatic, recurrent lameness, and unresponsive to anti-inflammatory therapy when there is a circumscribed intracapsular soft tissue mass evident radiographically together with hemarthrosis.     

Histopathologic features of canine uremic gastropathy: a retrospective study

Uremic gastritis is a term commonly used to describe the gastrointestinal signs and histopathologic changes associated with renal failure in the dog. This retrospective study reviews the clinical, serum biochemical, and postmortem histopathologic data from 28 dogs with renal failure to determine the prevalence of gastric histopathology, characterize the gastric histopathology, and identify associations between gastric histopathology and serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), calcium-phosphorus product (Ca x Phos), and hematocrit. Affected and control dogs with available renal and gastric tissue, serum biochemistry data, and urinalysis data were identified over a 10-year period (1992-2002) in the pathology department postmortem examination database at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The serum biochemistry data and histopathologic findings were scored as normal, mild, moderate, and severe. All affected dogs had derangements of BUN, Cr, or Ca x Phos with gastric histopathology in 22 of 28 dogs (79%). Dogs with renal failure had a higher prevalence of gastric histopathologic changes compared with the control group. Associated histopathologic changes in the stomach were edema (P = .008), mineralization (P = .03), and vasculopathy (P = .03). Only 1 dog had evidence of gastric ulceration. Gastric necrosis was an uncommon finding (4/28, 14%). Gastric histopathology appears to be common in dogs with renal failure and is associated with increasing severity in the serum biochemistry data. Unlike humans with renal failure, in whom gastric ulceration predominates, gastric necrosis and ulceration appear to be uncommon in dogs with renal failure.     

Urinary alkaline phosphatase and 7-glutamyl transferase as indicators of acute renal damage in dogs

Urinary alkaline phosphatase (AP) and 7-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were measured in normal dogs, dogs with chronic renal failure, and dogs with acute renal failure, as confirmed by renal histology. The median values for urinary AP were 5–8 iu/litre/mmol creatinine for normal dogs, 6–7 for dogs with chronic renal failure and 49-4 for dogs with acute renal failure. The median values for urinary GGT were 3–4 iu/litre/mmol creatinine for normal dogs, 4–9 for dogs with chronic renal failure and 9-6 for dogs with acute renal failure. The results suggest that urinary AP can be used as an indicator of acute renal damage in the dog. GGT was shown to be less useful. No clear correlations were found between urinary enzyme levels and the extent of morphological kidney damage.     

Uses and effectiveness of pamidronate disodium for treatment of dogs and cats with hypercalcemia

Uncorrected hypercalcemia can cause clinical signs such as polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and depression and contributes to the development of primary renal failure and soft tissue mineralization. Treatment of hypercalcemia includes diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease process and some combination of excracellular fluid volume expansion by administration of fluids intravenously and administration of glococorticosteroids, salmon calcitonin, and furosemide. Bisphosphonates such as pamidronate disodium also may be safe and effective in the treatment of hypercalcemia. The purpose of our study was to characterize the efficacy and safety of pamidronate in the treatment of hypercalcemia attritutable to several different disease processes in the dog and cat. Seven dogs and 2 cats were administered pamidronate at a dose of 1.05-2.0 mg/kg IV for a variety of disease processes, including neoplasia (n = 4), calcipotriene toxicity (n = 3), nocardiosis (n = 1), and idiopathic hypercalcemia with chronic renal failure (n = 1). In all the animals, IV pamidronate administration rapidly decreased serum calcium concentrations without evident toxicosis. Two animals received pamidronate several times without obvious toxicosis. On the basis of the findings in our retrospective study, pamidronate may be a safe and effective drug with which to lower both serum total and ionized calcium concentrations in patients with hypercalcemia arising from a wide variety of underlying disease processes.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CAIRN TERRIERS WITH PRECLINICAL RENAL DYSPLASIA

Renal dysplasia is a hereditary disease characterized by abnormal differentiation of renal tissue. The ultrasonographic appearance of dysplastic canine kidneys has been reported in the late stage of the disease where inflammatory and degenerative changes are already present and the dogs are in chronic renal failure. In this study, we describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the kidneys of five related Cairn Terriers affected with renal dysplasia before the onset of clinical or laboratory evidence of renal failure. Common findings included poor corticomedullary definition and multifocal hyperechoic speckles in the renal medulla, or a diffusely hyperechoic medulla. Severity of ultrasonographic changes was related to the severity of histopathologic findings. The ability to detect dysplastic changes before clinical signs develop makes ultrasound a potentially useful screening method for canine renal dysplasia.     

Metastatic calcinosis (including calcinosis cutis) in a young dog with multiple urinary tract abnormalities

Metastatic calcinosis associated with chronic renal failure and multiple urinary tract abnormalities was diagnosed in a 6-month-old Brittany spaniel that was presented with calcinosis cutis. This case report highlights the importance of skin as an indicator of systemic disease. The aetiopathogenesis of the four main types of tissue calcification is defined and discussed with an emphasis on metastatic calcinosis.     

Potential role of serum inhibitors of erythropoiesis in the anemia associated with infection, renal disease and malignancy in the dog

Serum from dogs with anemia secondary to infection, malignancy and chronic renal disease was tested for the capacity to inhibit in vitro erythropoiesis. Serum inhibition was found in seven of 10 dogs with infectious diseases, four of 10 dogs with malignant diseases, and two of 10 dogs with chronic renal failure. The results were reproducible with at least three different marrow donor dogs. Serum inhibition did not correlate with decreased packed cell volumes. However, serum inhibition occurred in the two dogs with greatest azotemia suggesting that inhibitors of erythropoiesis are present only in advanced stages of renal failure.     

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE SCINTIGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN DOGS EXPOSED TO TOXIC DOSES OF GENTAMICIN

Five, 3-month-old mongrel dogs weighing between 4.5 to 5.5 kg were studied to evaluate and compare the efficiency of 99mTc-DTPA, 99mTc-MAG3, and 99mTc-DMSA in detecting gentamicin-induced renal tubular injury. After baseline renograms using all three methods, all dogs received daily intramuscular injections of gentamicin at a dose of 30-45 mg/kg. Additional studies were obtained after a cumulative dose of 450, 1,575, and 2,250 mg of gentamicin was reached. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), and percentage of total renal uptake measurements were calculated. Baseline and post-gentamicin injection blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine values were determined. A Duncan test revealed significant renal function impairment at 450 mgs of cumulated gentamicin with 99mTc-DMSA and at 1,575 mgs of cumulated gentamicin for 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-MAG3. There was no correlation between BUN and serum creatinine values when compared to gentamicin (p > 0.05). The images obtained with 99mTc-MAG3 were of better quality than those obtained with 99mTc-DTPA even under severe renal dysfunction. Percentage of 99mTc-DMSA uptake indicated renal damage, before than GFR and ERPF. BUN and serum creatinine measurements were poor indicators of gentamicin-induced renal failure.     

Results of clinical renal transplantation in 15 dogs using triple drug immunosuppressive therapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcome of renal transplantation in dogs administered cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone immunosuppression. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Fifteen dogs with chronic renal failure. RESULTS: Nine dogs died within 1 month of surgery; 5 died from complications associated with generalized thromboembolism. Three dogs survived for 6-25 months. Three dogs alive at the time of this report have survived 22-48 months; however, all 3 dogs have had bacterial infections that responded to antibiotic therapy. There was no biochemical evidence of acute allograft rejection in any dog. Perioperative use of enoxaparin may have prevented thromboembolism in 5 dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Triple drug immunosuppressive therapy used in this study prevented acute renal allograft rejection in 6 dogs that survived >4 weeks; however, immunosuppression was excessive, resulting in an unacceptable frequency of infection and other drug-related complications. Perioperative anticoagulation therapy seem to be warranted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Survival time and quality of life for this group of dogs was poor; however, there was no evidence of acute rejection in the dogs surviving >4 weeks. This protocol should only be used if the degree of immunosuppression is reduced, and early evidence of allograft rejection is monitored by renal biopsy or markers of lymphocyte activation.     

AORTIC AND CARDIAC MINERALIZATION IN THE DOG

Aortic and cardiac mineralization was found in 21 of 3443 (0.61%) canine thoracic radiographs. In none of 786 feline thoracic radiographs reviewed were such lesions present. Mineralizations were superimposed on the ascending aorta (19 dogs) or on the caudal cardiac silhouette (2 dogs). In 2 of 4 dogs mineralization was identified echocardiographically dorsal to the aortic valve in close proximity to coronary arteries. Computed tomography confirmed mineralization of the aortic arch and root in 2 of 2 dogs. Necropsy and histopathologic examination in 1 dog revealed multiple nodular aortic tunica media calcifications with adjacent areas of degeneration. Lesions were significantly overrepresented in older dogs and in Rottweilers, and regarded as dystrophic calcification, caused either by age-related degenerative changes or chronic disease-related processes. There was no evidence of clinical significance attributed to the mineralization in any dog. Aortic and cardiac mineralization should be recognized as an incidental, non-significant finding in dogs of advanced age and differentiated from pleural and pulmonary structures.     

Peritoneal dialysis in dogs and cats: 27 cases (1976-1987)

The records of 25 dogs and 2 cats treated with peritoneal dialysis during an 11-year period were evaluated. The indications for peritoneal dialysis were acute renal failure in 21 animals, chronic renal failure in 5 animals, and azotemia of undetermined cause in 1 animal. Peritoneal dialysis resulted in a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in serum urea nitrogen concentration in 19 of the dogs and a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in serum creatinine in 20 dogs. The most common complication of peritoneal dialysis was hypoalbuminemia (11 animals affected). Other common complications were dialysate retention/catheter obstruction (8 animals), peritonitis (6 animals), hypochloremia (6 animals), and subcutaneous leakage of dialysate (6 animals). Twelve dogs and 2 cats died during treatment, 6 dogs were euthanatized, and 1 dog was lost to follow-up evaluation. The remaining 6 dogs survived and were discharged from the hospital after successful peritoneal dialysis. On the basis of the results of this study, the authors concluded that peritoneal dialysis, although associated with a high complication rate, was a successful technique for reducing azotemia in dogs with acute and chronic renal failure. Survival rates were poor because of the severity of the underlying renal diseases.     

EMPHYSEMATOUS CHOLECYSTITIS IN THE NONDIABETIC DOG: THREE CASE HISTORIES

Emphysematous cholecystitis not associated with diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in three dogs. All three dogs were examined because of vomiting. Neutrophilia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, and normal serum glucose were present in each animal. A gas-filled gallbladder and pericholecystic gas were seen radiographically in all three dogs; a cholecystolith was present in one dog. A cholecystectomy was performed on two dogs. Cultures of bacteria from these two bladders revealed Clostridium sp. One of these dogs was euthanized because of acute renal tubular necrosis that was diagnosed after ten days of treatment with gentamicin. The second dog recovered without incident. The third dog was treated successfully with antibiotics.     

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas

This work aimed to evaluate serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 25 dogs with soft tissue sarcoma, and in 30 healthy dogs. Blood was collected once time from the control animals and three times, in the same way, from animals with sarcoma. Blood count was performed in the blood collected, and serum VEGF was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay quantitative method. Serum VEGF in control animals was similar to patients with soft tissue sarcoma. There was a reduction in serum VEGF after the sarcoma resection. There was positive correlation between serum VEGF and neutrophil counts, and negative between VEGF and hemoglobin content in animals with sarcoma. Animals with hemangiopericytoma showed higher serum VEGF levels compared to the patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath. Circulating blood cells can contribute to elevate VEGF serum concentrations in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas and a possible role of VEGF in the angiogenesis of these tumors.     

Immunoreactive N-terminal fragment of proatrial natriuretic peptide, ANP (1–98), in plasma of healthy dogs and dogs with impaired volume regulation: a comparison with the C-terminal ANP (99–126)

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is stored in atrial myocytes as a 126 amino acid precursor molecule (ANP 1-126) and is cleaved during its release into circulation into the biologically active C-terminal ANP (99-126) and the N-terminal counterpart, ANP (1-98). While interest has focused on ANP (99-126) under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, data for the cosecreted N-terminal sequence, ANP (1-98) are generally missing. Plasma levels of the N-terminal immunoreactive peptide (N-ANP [1-98]) were measured in normal dogs, and in dogs with impaired volume regulation (congestive heart failure; chronic renal failure or Cushing's syndrome and compared with those of C-ANP (99-126). The N-ANP (1-98) concentration was 593.1 +/- 81.1 fmol ml-1 in normal subjects, which is about 60-fold higher than the C-ANP (99-126) (10.8 +/- 2.6 fmol ml-1). In patients suffering from chronic renal failure ANP (1-98) was increased to 1582 +/- 196 fmol ml-1, and in dogs with congestive heart failure to 1612 +/- 244 fmol ml-1. In contrast, Cushing's syndrome dogs showed decreased N-ANP (1-98) concentrations (351 +/- 65.9 fmol ml-1). There was a positive correlation between plasma levels of N-ANP (1-98) and C-ANP (99-126) levels (correlation coefficients: normal: r = 0.78; congestive heart failure: r = 0.76; chronic renal failure: r = 0.86; Cushing's syndrome: r = 0.57). High pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of dog plasma showed one major peak of N-terminal immunoreactivity corresponding to ANP (1-98).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

犬慢性肾衰竭进程中肠道菌群代谢物短链脂肪酸水平的变化及其对肾功能的影响

本研究旨在评估短链脂肪酸在慢性肾衰竭患犬和健康犬中的水平,探究短链脂肪酸变化的原因及其对肾功能的影响。选取22例轻度慢性肾衰患犬（M-CRF组）、29例重度慢性肾衰患犬（S-CRF组）和26例健康对照犬（HC组）,用16S rDNA测序技术分析肠道菌群多样性,气相色谱法检测粪中短链脂肪酸浓度。通过粪菌移植和补充丁酸钠给5/6肾摘除犬,观察肠道菌群及丁酸钠对肾功能影响。结果显示：1）S-CRF组肠道菌群多样性指标观察物种数及Simpson指数低于HC组（P<0.05）,PCoA分析显示,S-CRF组肠道菌群与M-CRF、HC组有差异。2）LEfSe分析显示,S-CRF组和HC组间大量差异菌群,拟杆菌科、拟杆菌属及假单胞菌科等7个菌种富集于S-CRF组,普氏杆菌科、梭菌科、普氏杆菌属及普拉梭菌属等11个菌种富集于HC组。CCA分析发现富集于S-CRF组菌种丰度与肾功能指标呈正相关。3）S-CRF组粪中乙酸、丙酸及丁酸浓度均显著低于HC组和M-CRF组,M-CRF组丁酸浓度显著低于HC组（P<0.05）,且丁酸浓度与血中胱抑素C（Cys-c）、肌酐（Cr）及尿素氮（BUN）等肾功能指标呈负相关（r值分别为-0.451、-0.583和-0.514,P<0.01）。4）与慢性肾衰模型组（5/6 Nx组）比较,慢性肾衰犬给与丁酸钠8周后,血清Cr和BUN显著降低（P<0.05）;粪菌移植8周后,血清Cr和BUN显著升高（P<0.05）,丁酸钠可回调血清Cr和BUN水平。综上表明,慢性肾衰竭患犬肠道菌群多样性降低,菌群结构及丰度改变,粪中短链脂肪酸浓度降低,这些变化可加剧肾功能障碍。为犬慢性肾衰竭的防治提供新的理论依据。