Renal biopsy of dogs and cats

Renal diseases are common in dogs and cats. Renal biopsy may be required during the evaluation of the patient to establish a definitive diagnosis, determine the severity of the lesion and formulate an optimal treatment plan. Renal biopsy specimens can be collected via several methods. Percutaneous techniques are performed with ultrasound guidance in both dogs and cats or blindly in cats. If ultrasound guidance is not available, the keyhole technique can be used in dogs. Biopsy can also be performed using laparoscopy or surgery. While complications can arise with any of these techniques, complications are less frequent when an experienced operator uses proper technique. Renal biopsy specimens must be processed and evaluated appropriately if consistent and accurate diagnoses are to be rendered. The article summarizes patient selection and evaluation, renal biopsy techniques, expected complications of renal biopsy, and appropriate processing and evaluation of the renal biopsy specimen.     

Neutropenia in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 261 cases

Case records of 232 dogs and 29 cats with neutropenia were reviewed to examine the spectrum of underlying etiologies causing the neutropenia. Six etiological categories included nonbacterial infectious disease; increased demand due to marked inflammation, bacterial sepsis, or endotoxemia; drug-associated neutropenia; primary bone-marrow disease; immune-mediated neutropenia; and diseases of unclear etiology. The largest single category associated with the development of neutropenia was nonbacterial infectious disease (e.g., feline leukemia virus [FeLV], feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV], histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and parvovirus), with parvovirus infection accounting for 47.1% of all cases. The least common (0.38%) cause was naturally occurring immune-mediated neutropenia.     

Grass awn migration in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 182 cases

A retrospective study of 182 cases of grass awn migration in dogs and cats seen during a 1-year period was performed. The 182 cases comprised 61% of all foreign body-related cases during that year. Compared with the total hospital population, there was an increased prevalence of grass awn problems in the Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Brittany Spaniel, and Airedale Terrier, but a decreased prevalence in German Shepherd Dogs, Miniature Poodles, and Dachshunds. The most common site of grass awn localization was the external ear canal, involving 51% of grass awn cases. Other common sites of grass awn localization included the interdigital webs, eye, nose, lumbar area, and thoracic cavity. Only 8 of the 182 animals were cats and 7 of the 8 had ocular involvement.     

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia: a retrospective study of 31 cats and eight dogs

The records of 31 cats and eight dogs undergoing surgical correction of peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) from 2000 through 2007 were reviewed. Weimaraners and long-haired cats of varying breeds, particularly Maine Coon cats, appear to be at higher risk of PPDH. Presenting complaints were most commonly related to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts in both dogs and cats, although respiratory signs were more prevalent in cats, and gastrointestinal signs were more common in dogs. The most common herniated organs were liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. Mortality associated with surgical repair of PPDH in cats and dogs was low in the first 2 weeks postoperatively, and prognosis for return to normal function was excellent. Peri-and postoperative complications were typically minor and self-limiting.     

Dog bite wounds in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 196 cases

The age, type, etc., time of injury, body areas injured, treatment modalities and mortality rates were reviewed in 185 dogs and 11 cats that were bitten by dogs. Male dogs were more frequently bitten than females, and small dogs (< or = 10 kg) were not only the most common victims but also were more likely to suffer multiple injuries. Mortality occurred only in cases with thoracic or abdominal injuries. Exploratory thoracotomy, performed in some of the cases presented with penetrating thoracic injury, did not prove to alter prognosis. Cats are not as frequently bitten as dogs, and are often younger than the mean age of cats in the overall hospital population.     

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 208 cases

O bjectives : To establish predilection sites of obstruction and to investigate clinical factors associated with a poor outcome.
M ethods : A retrospective study of 208 consecutive cases over a 48-month period from first-opinion practice.
R esults : Overall, 91 per cent of cases recovered with higher survival rates from discrete foreign bodies (94 per cent in dogs and 100 per cent in cats) as opposed to linear foreign bodies (80 per cent in dogs and 63 per cent in cats). English bull terriers, springer spaniels, Staffordshire bull terriers, Border collies and Jack Russell terriers were over-represented. In dogs, 63 per cent of obstructions occurred in the jejunum but foreign objects were encountered at all points along the gastrointestinal tract. A longer duration of clinical signs, the presence of a linear foreign body and multiple intestinal procedures were associated with significantly increased mortality. Neither the degree of obstruction (partial or complete) nor the location of the foreign body was shown to have a significant influence on survival.
C linical S ignificance : Prompt presentation, diagnosis and surgical intervention improve the outcome of gastrointestinal obstruction by foreign bodies. At surgery, the minimal number of intestinal procedures should be performed to restore the integrity of the alimentary tract.     

Complications following full-thickness small intestinal biopsy in 66 dogs: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively report the complications seen after full-thickness multiple small intestinal biopsies were performed in 66 dogs. METHODS: Animals that died as a result of enteric wound breakdown were compared with the surviving population to identify fatal risk factors. RESULTS: Seventeen dogs had hypoalbuminaemia and eight had albumin levels below 20 g/I at surgery. Twelve dogs had concurrent disease, of which seven had skin disease. Seven dogs suffered minor complications which resolved with treatment. Eight dogs (12 per cent) died or were euthanased between three and nine days postoperatively (mean [sd] 4.5 [2.1]) due to enteric wound breakdown. Seven of these dogs developed septic peritonitis and one died of haemorrhage. No statistically significant differences were identified in any of the parameters examined for the development of fatal enteric wound dehiscence. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Full-thickness intestinal biopsy is not a benign procedure. However, this study concludes that there are no consistent predictors for patients at increased risk of enteric wound breakdown.     

Osteoarthritis in cats: a retrospective radiological study

OBJECTIVES: To provide basic information about natural feline osteoarthritis (OA) as part of more extensive studies. METHODS: A retrospective study of cats (greater than one year of age) radiographed for any reason at a first opinion and referral veterinary practice was performed. Cats were classified as either having or not having radiographic OA. Computerised histories were searched for records of potential causes and clinical signs of OA. The genders and ages of the affected cats were compared with a control population using chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Of 491 cats, 292 (59 per cent) had undergone a diagnostic radiograph of at least one synovial joint. Sixty-three of 292 cats (22 per cent) showed evidence of radiographic OA; 21 (33 per cent) of which also had clinically evident OA. A potential cause of OA had been recorded in only seven of 63 cats (11 per cent). The population of cats with radiographic evidence of OA was older than the control population (P<0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Radiographic OA was found in 22 per cent of the test population. In many cases there was no clinical evidence of OA recorded in the history, suggesting that either there is little correlation between clinical and radiographic OA or that clinical signs of OA in cats may not have been observed or recorded. Idiopathic/primary OA was common.     

Alpha-chloralose poisoning in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 33 canine and 13 feline confirmed cases

Alpha-chloralose (AC) is an anaesthetic compound also used as a rodenticide, and has dose-dependent central nervous system mixed effects of excitation and depression. The objectives of this study were to detail the clinical and clinicopathological characteristics, as well as the treatment and prognosis, of AC toxicosis in dogs and cats. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for AC poisoning between the years 1989 and 2004, and 33 dogs and 13 cats were included in the study. The most common clinical signs were seizures, muscle tremor, hyperaesthesia, hypothermia, salivation, myosis, stupor, coma and ataxia. Coma was more common, while salivation and ataxia were less common in cats compared to dogs. Although hypothermia was very common, especially in cats (90.9%), hyperthermia was frequently observed in dogs (21%). Treatment in all patients was supportive and symptomatic, and the most commonly used anticonvulsants were diazepam and barbiturates; however, severe unresponsive seizures in three dogs had to be controlled with inhalant gas anaesthesia. The hospitalisation period was 1-3 days, and the overall mortality rate was 6.5%. Alpha-chloralose poisoning seems to have a favourable prognosis in dogs and cats.     

Renal biopsy: methods and interpretation.

Renal biopsy most often is indicated in the management of dogs and cats with glomerular disease or acute renal failure. Renal biopsy can readily be performed in dogs and cats via either percutaneous or surgical methods. Care should be taken to ensure that proper technique is used. When proper technique is employed and patient factors are properly addressed, renal biopsy is a relatively safe procedure that minimally affects renal function. Patients should be monitored during the post biopsy period for severe hemorrhage, the most common complication. Accurate diagnosis of glomerular disease, and therefore, accurate treatment planning,requires that the biopsy specimens not only be evaluated by light microscopy using special stains but by electron and immunofluorescent microscopy.     

Respiratory complications in dogs with tetanus: A retrospective study of 53 cases

Tetanus can lead to respiratory complications, and the outcome of dogs affected by this disease is still largely unknown. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the frequency and outcome of 53 dogs with tetanus and respiratory complications between February 2006 and January 2019.Medical records from dogs diagnosed with tetanus admitted to a referral teaching hospital were reviewed. Fifty-three dogs were diagnosed with tetanus and respiratory complications were observed in 26.4% (14/53) of dogs; 8 developed aspiration pneumonia (AP), 5 developed upper airway obstruction (UAO) and 1 dog developed both. A total of 5 AP dogs were mechanically ventilated. Three dogs with UAO had tracheostomy tubes placed. Dogs with respiratory complications had a poorer outcome, with only 14.3% (2/14) surviving to discharge, compared to 94.8% (37/39) for dogs with no respiratory complications. Respiratory complications such as AP and UAO were common in dogs with tetanus, and this was associated with a poorer outcome.     

Multiple myeloma in 16 cats: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: There is limited published information regarding feline multiple myeloma. Diagnostic criteria are derived from canine studies and to our knowledge, have not been critically reviewed for cats. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings in cats with multiple myeloma and appraise diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of medical records was performed. Inclusion required an antemortem diagnosis of multiple myeloma using 2 of 4 criteria: 1) >or=20% plasma cells in the bone marrow, or >or=10% if atypical plasma cells; 2) paraproteinemia; 3) radiographically-evident osteolysis; 4) light chain proteinuria. Alternatively, a postmortem diagnosis was based on the findings of multiple plasma cell neoplasms, with marrow involvement. RESULTS: Sixteen cats were diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 1996 and 2004, with a median age of 14.0 years; 9 of 16 (56%) were castrated males, and 7 of 16 (44%) were spayed females. Laboratory abnormalities included hyperglobulinemia (14/16, 87.5%), with 11/14 (78.5%) monoclonal and 3/14 (21.4%) biclonal gammopathies; hypoalbuminemia (4/16, 25%); light chain proteinuria, (4/9, 44.4%); hypocholesterolemia (11/16, 68.7%); hypercalcemia, (3/15, 20%); nonregenerative anemia, (11/16, 68.7%); regenerative anemia, (1/16, 6.2%); neutropenia (5/15, 33.3%); thrombocytopenia (8/16, 50%); and marrow plasmacytosis (14/15, 93.3%). Plasma cells were markedly immature, atypical, or both in 10 of 12 (83.3%) cats. Focal or multifocal osteolysis was noted in 6 of 12 (50%) cats for which radiographs were available for review; generalized osteopenia was found in 1 (8.3%) cat. Noncutaneous, extramedullary tumors were found in all cats assessed, 7/7 (100%), including spleen (6), liver (3), and lymph nodes (4). The disease in 1 of 2 cats with cutaneous tumors progressed to plasmacytic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Common findings in feline multiple myeloma include atypical plasma cell morphology, hypocholesterolemia, anemia, bone lesions, and multi-organ involvement. Based on the results of this study, we advocate modifying diagnostic criteria in cats to include consideration of plasma cell morphology and visceral organ infiltration.     

Sequelae of ventral rhinotomy in dogs and cats with inflammatory and neoplastic nasal pathology: a retrospective study.

The medical records of 58 patients that had undergone ventral rhinotomies were reviewed to determine the long-term outcome and sequelae of this procedure. The signalment, history, and postoperative survival of these patients were found to be similar to other reports in the literature. The deaths of 2 cats immediately postoperatively were attributed to the use of carotid artery tourniquets. Postoperative complications included 1 oronasal fistula, and a persistent mucopurulent or serous discharge in 76% of the patients that had a primary rhinitis before surgery. Ventral rhinotomy was useful as a diagnostic modality for the removal of foreign material and the curettage of focal lesions, and it may be useful in the palliation of nasal tumors in cats.