Bilateral multiple cystic kidney disease and renal cortical abscess in a Boerboel

Cystic renal disease is rare in dogs and although infected renal cysts have been reported in humans, no report could be found in dogs. A 58 kg, 5-year-old, castrated, male Boerboel presented with weight loss, pyrexia, lethargy and vomiting, 20 months after an incident of haematuria was reported. The initial ultrasonographic diagnosis was bilateral multiple renal cysts of unknown aetiology. The cysts had significantly increased in size over the 20-month period and some contained echogenic specks which could be related to infection, normal cellular debris or haemorrhage. In both kidneys the renal contours were distorted (the left more than the right). The abnormal shape of the left kidney was largely due to multiple cysts and a large crescent-shaped septate mass on the cranial pole of the kidney. Aspirates of the septate mass were performed (left kidney) and the cytology and culture were indicative of an abscess. It is suggested that the previous incident of haematuria provided a portal of entry for bacteria into the cysts resulting in renal cortical abscess formation.     

Peritoneal dialysis in cats with acute kidney injury: 22 cases (2001-2006)

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been described for use in animals with acute kidney injury refractory to fluid therapy. However, no study has examined the use of PD in a large group of cats. Hypothesis: PD is an important adjunctive therapy to treat acute kidney injury in cats. Animals: The medical records of 22 cats with acute kidney injury that had received PD were examined. Animals were excluded if acute uremia was a result of postrenal causes such as uroabdomen or urethral obstruction. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for the following: indication for PD, outcome, number of cycles performed, survival time, and predialysis and postdialysis results for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, potassium, chloride, sodium, phosphorus, total protein, and albumin concentrations, and urine output.

Results:

Indications for PD include acute‐on‐chronic kidney injury, acute kidney injury caused by toxins, bilateral ureteroliths, bilateral ureteral ligation as a complication of ovariohysterectomy, and unknown causes. The median survival time for all cats on PD was 4 days, although the median survival time for the cats that were discharged was 774 days. The most common complications were dialysate retention and sequestration of dialysate SC. There was a significant (P< .05) decrease between predialysis and postdialysis results for BUN, creatinine, potassium, phosphorus, total protein, and albumin concentrations. There was a significant (P< .05) difference in survival times between sexes. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: PD is an effective option for treatment of cats with acute kidney injury refractory to fluid therapy.     

Oxytetracycline associated acute kidney injury in a neonatal foal

A 3-day-old Australian Stock Horse filly presented with fulminant acute kidney injury after receiving 4 g of intravenous oxytetracycline at 24 and 48 h of age for medical management of flexural deformities. The filly’s clinical status initially improved, but worsening azotaemia prompted euthanasia after 55 h of supportive care. Necropsy confirmed proximal tubular necrosis. Nephropathy in association with oxytetracycline administration has been rarely reported. This case describes severe nephropathy in an apparently normal foal and highlights the need for thorough case evaluation prior to use of high-dose oxytetracycline therapy for correction of flexural deformities in foals.     

Kidney-derived proteins in urine as biomarkers of induced acute kidney injury in sheep

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life-threatening condition for which an early diagnosis is problematic. The aim of the present study was to identify kidney-derived urinary proteins specific to AKI in sheep. AKI was induced in six sheep by an overdose of ketoprofen. Six untreated sheep served as controls. Urine samples were collected for up to 24 h after drug administration and pooled according to time and treatment. Tissue samples from kidney were taken immediately after euthanasia. Urinary proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and the proteins of interest were identified by mass spectrometry. Calbindin-D28k, retinol-binding protein 4 and CD1d were identified in ketoprofen-treated sheep, but not in controls. In addition, calbindin-D28k and CD1d were localized in kidney tissues by immunohistochemical staining. These preliminary results suggest that urinary calbindin-D28k and CD1d represent potential useful biomarkers of AKI, at least in sheep.     

Bilateral fusion of a supernumerary kidney in a cat

A rare case of bilateral fusion of a supernumerary kidney was found during the necropsy of a female, 8-year-old, mixed breed cat that died as a result of azotemia and chronic enteritis. Apart from enteritis, necropsy revealed four kidneys, two in the sublumbar left region and two in the sublumbar right region, with cortical and medullary regions well individualized and independent; however, the pelvis was partially fused, giving rise to a single ureter. The kidneys were small, whitish and firm, with irregular surfaces. Microscopically, all kidneys displayed normal renal glomeruli and tubules among the immature renal glomeruli and tubules with characteristics of hypoplasia. Foci of glomerulosclerosis, nephrocalcinosis and interstitial fibrosis were also observed.     

Bilateral renal oncocytoma in a Greyhound dog

A bilateral, locally invasive renal oncocytoma was diagnosed in a 10-year-old spayed female Greyhound dog. The diagnosis was based on positive staining of the tumor with the periodic acid-Schiff reaction prior to diastase treatment, on the immunohistochemical expression of cytoplasmic cytokeratin, and on the prominence of mitochondria in the tumor cells.     

Polycystic kidney disease in a family of Persian cats

A 6-year-old Persian cat was determined to have polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Because of 3 previous clinical reports of PKD in Persian cats, the offspring were examined by use of ultrasonography, which provided evidence of PKD in 3 of the 4 offspring. Because of the genetic transmission of this disease, breeders should be advised not to breed PKD-positive Persian cats.     

Bilateral calcaneal stress fractures in two cats

Two cats that developed bilateral calcaneal stress fractures are reported. One cat developed lameness associated with incomplete fractures at the base of both calcanei, both of which progressed to acute, complete fractures 2 months later. The second cat presented with acute complete calcaneal fracture, with evidence of remodelling of the contralateral calcaneus, which subsequently fractured two years later. The calcaneal fractures were successfully stabilised with lateral bone plates in each case. Stress fractures were suspected because of the bilateral nature, the simple and similar configuration, the consistent location of the fractures, the absence of other signs of trauma in both cases and the suspected insidious onset of the lameness. The feline calcaneus is susceptible to stress fracture, and cats presenting with calcaneal fractures without evidence of trauma should be evaluated for concurrent skeletal pathology.     

Risk factors and implications associated with renal mineralization in chronic kidney disease in cats

BackgroundNephrocalcinosis is a pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Its pathophysiological implications for cats with CKD are unexplored.ObjectivesIdentify nephrocalcinosis risk factors and evaluate its influence on CKD progression and all‐cause mortality.AnimalsFifty‐one euthyroid client‐owned cats with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stages 2‐3 azotemic CKD.MethodsRetrospective cohort study. Histopathological kidney sections were assessed for nephrocalcinosis (von Kossa stain). Nephrocalcinosis severity was determined by image analysis (ImageJ). Ordinal logistic regressions were performed to identify nephrocalcinosis risk factors. The influence of nephrocalcinosis on CKD progression and mortality risk were assessed using linear mixed model and Cox regression, respectively. Cats were categorized by their owner‐reported time‐averaged phosphate‐restricted diet (PRD) intake, where PRD comprised ≥50%, 10‐50%, or none of food intake.ResultsNephrocalcinosis was rated as mild‐to‐severe in 78.4% and absent‐to‐minimal in 21.6% of cases. Higher baseline plasma total calcium concentration (tCa; odds ratio [OR] = 3.07 per 1 mg/dL; P = .02) and eating a PRD (10%‐50%: OR = 8.35; P = .01; ≥50%: OR = 5.47; P = .01) were independent nephrocalcinosis risk factors. Cats with absent‐to‐minimal nephrocalcinosis had increasing plasma creatinine (0.250 ± 0.074 mg/dL/month; P = .002), urea (5.06 ± 1.82 mg/dL/month; P = .01), and phosphate (0.233 ± 0.115 mg/dL/month; P = .05) concentrations over a 1‐year period, and had shorter median survival times than cats with mild‐to‐severe nephrocalcinosis.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceHigher plasma tCa at CKD diagnosis and PRD intake are independently associated with nephrocalcinosis. However, nephrocalcinosis is not associated with rapid CKD progression in cats.     

Perioperative urinary heat shock protein 72 as an early marker of acute kidney injury in dogs

ObjectiveAcute kidney injury (AKI) may be a complication in dogs undergoing surgery. Urinary heat shock protein 72 (uHSP72) is a sensitive biomarker of canine AKI. To assess the occurrence of perioperative AKI, based on uHSP72 compared with serum creatinine (sCr), and whether its occurrence is associated with the American Society of Anesthesiology physical status (ASA status).Study designClinical prospective study.AnimalsA total of 80 client-owned and shelter dogs.MethodsDogs scheduled for elective or emergency surgery were assigned ASA status (ASA I–IV). Preoperative and 24 hour postoperative serum and urine samples were collected. sCr, uHSP72 and urinary creatinine (uCr) were measured.ResultsPostoperative uHSP72/uCr concentration [median (range)] of all dogs undergoing surgery [2.40 (0.14–252) ng mg⁻¹] was significantly increased compared with preoperative uHSP72/uCr [1.30 (0.11–142) ng mg⁻¹] concentration (p < 0.001). Conversely, postoperative sCr concentration of all dogs [0.88 (0.3–1.6) mg dL⁻¹] significantly decreased compared with preoperative sCr concentration [0.8 (0.2–5.0) mg dL⁻¹; p = 0.001]. Median uHSP72/uCr concentration differed both preoperatively (p = 0.007) and postoperatively (p = 0.019) among the ASA status groups. Increased uHSP/uCr was measured in 20 dogs preoperatively and 33 dogs postoperatively, whereas only five dogs fulfilled the criteria of AKI based on sCr.ConclusionsThe occurrence of increased uHSP72/uCr perioperatively suggests that the proportion of dogs with AKI is considerably higher than perceived.Clinical relevanceDogs undergoing surgery should be closely monitored for AKI before and after anesthesia, using currently available markers (e.g., sCr) and more sensitive markers.     

Bilateral kidney translocation in sheep

Bilateral kidney translocation was performed on 7 adult sheep. In each sheep, we took 9 renal biopsy specimens (40 mg each) percutaneously between 36 and 110 days after surgery. The serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations remained normal, at least through postoperative day 66 (7 biopsy specimens). The 7 sheep were euthanatized and necropsied 113 days after surgery; 75 to 90% of each kidney was normal. The only abnormal areas of each kidney were attributable to resolving biopsy lesions. This surgical model may allow for fewer animals to be used for tissue residue or nephrotoxicity studies.