Effects of collection time and food consumption on the urine protein/creatinine ratio in the dog

Effects of collection time and food consumption on the variability of the urine protein/creatinine ratio were determined in 10 healthy dogs. In trial 1, dogs were fasted for 12 hours, and urine specimens were obtained by bladder catheterization every 2 hours over an 8-hour collection period during the day. After a 1-week rest, the dogs were entered into trial 2. Dogs were fed at least 60 kcal of a high protein meal/kg of body weight, and urine specimens were obtained every 2 hours over an 8-hour period during the day. Urine total protein and urine creatinine concentrations and the urine protein/creatinine ratio were determined for each urine specimen obtained. Friedman's 2-way analysis by ranks was used to determine the constancy of this ratio over the 4 periods in the 2 trials (fasted and fed). There was no significant variability (P greater than 0.05) in ratios over the 8-hour collection periods in the fasted or fed trial. Feeding did not significantly alter this ratio, because there was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in the urine protein/creatinine ratios of the dogs when they were fasted, compared with those of the dogs when they were fed. Seemingly, urine specimens obtained anytime during the day from dogs in both trials (fasted and fed) reflected the urine protein/creatinine ratio.     

Ovarian teratoma in a bitch

An ovarian teratoma in a 5-year-old bitch with a history of vaginal discharge was removed successfully by ovariohysterectomy. The mass was discovered on abdominal palpation and contained multiple mineralized densities that were visualized radiographically. Histologic examination of the mass confirmed the presence of tissues originating from multiple germ-cell layers, characteristic of a teratoma. Clinical findings in dogs with teratomas include abdominal distention, a palpable abdominal mass, and rarely, evidence of reproductive hormonal activity. These neoplasms are uncommon in the dog, and they may exhibit malignant tendencies, with metastasis developing in approximately 33% of the reported cases. Ovariohysterectomy is the preferred treatment for ovarian teratomas, and this procedure was curative in the dog of this report.     

Bilateral pyelonephritis and hydroureter associated with metastatic adenocarcinoma in a dog

Metastatic adenocarcinoma, involving the trigone of the urinary bladder, resulted in bilateral pyelonephritis and hydroureter in an aged dog. Salient physical examination and clinicopathologic findings included bacterial urinary tract infection, renal pain response to abdominal palpation, and the observation of WBC casts in urine sediment. A good response to antimicrobial drug administration was observed initially; however, the dog later was euthanatized because of progressive renal disease. Necropsy revealed extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis with metastatic lesions causing occlusion of both ureters. Ostensibly, metastatic carcinoma involving the trigone resulted in urine stasis and enhanced the development of renal infection and hydroureter.     

Adherent gram-positive cocci on the intestinal villi of two dogs with gastrointestinal disease

Two dogs were examined for clinical signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease. Duodenal mucosal biopsy specimens, obtained endoscopically, revealed histologic lesions of adherent gram-positive cocci on the villus epithelium of both dogs. The positive gram stain and morphologic features of the adherent cocci were suggestive of Streptococcus organisms. Indirect tests for intestinal bacterial overgrowth were not diagnostic, suggesting that the adherent cocci were a primary lesion. Rapid clinical response following dietary manipulation and the initiation of medical management was observed in both dogs. The dogs of this report draw similarities to Streptococcus durans infection previously reported in pigs, foals, and a single pup. The pathogenesis of enteric disease associated with adherent gram-positive cocci in dogs remains ill-defined.     

A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE RADIOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF PULMONARY METASTATIC DISEASE ON INITIAL PRESENTATION IN THE DOG

Thoracic radiographs of 346 dogs, diagnosed as having primary neoplasms, were reviewed for radiographic changes associated with pulmonary metastatic disease at the time of initial presentation. Dogs having radiographic changes of single or multiple interstitial nodular opacities, in the absence of concurrent intrathoracic disease, were considered to have pulmonary metastatic disease. The frequency of metastasis associated with each histologic tumor type was compared by chi-squared analysis. Dogs having primary thyroid carcinomas and transitional cell carcinomas demonstrated the greatest frequency of radiographic changes, 62.5% and 26% respectively. In dogs having a variety of other neoplasms, including nasal adenocarcinomas and cutaneous neoplasms, thoracic radiography proved useful in delineating intercurrent disease and staging, as well as the extent of neoplastic involvement. These results indicate early radiographic evaluation of the thorax should be performed on all dogs with confirmed or suspected primary neoplasms.     

Hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia associated with pancreatic islet cell tumor in a ferret

Pancreatic islet cell tumor causing hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism was diagnosed in a ferret with a history of progressive neurologic dysfunction. The diagnosis was suspected by the findings of hypoglycemia when the ferret was not fed, hyperinsulinism, and an amended insulin/glucose ratio approaching infinity. A focal pancreatic mass was removed by partial pancreatectomy, resulting in euglycemia and the resolution of clinical signs. Histologic diagnosis of the pancreatic mass was consistent with islet cell tumor (insulinoma). The ferret remained clinically normal for 8 months, but died after recurring episodes of hyperglycemia and glucosuria. Necropsy revealed no evidence of islet cell neoplasia involving the pancreas or other structures.     

Gastric emptying as assessed by barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres in healthy dogs consuming a commercial kibble ration

Barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS) were used to assess gastric emptying in medium-sized dogs consuming a commercial kibble ration. Two sizes of spheres were used: 1.5 mm and 5.0 mm in diameter. Ventrodorsal and right lateral recumbent radiographs were taken immediately before and after consumption of the test meal, and then hourly. The lag phase and the time to 25% (GET25), 50% (GET50), and 75% (GET75) gastric emptying of each sized marker were calculated. There was no significant difference between the lag phases of the small and large BIPS. There was a significant difference between the 1.5 and 5.0 markers at GET25, GET50, and GET75 in these medium-sized dogs. In a majority (70%) of the dogs in this study, GET25 of the 1.5-mm marker occurred at 4.73+/-1.44 hours; GET50 (1.5 mm) occurred at 8.29+/-1.62 hours, and GET75 (1.5 mm) occurred at 10.82+/-1.35 hours. The 5.0-mm markers tended to empty erratically and slowly. Four of the eight dogs retained some of the large markers in their stomachs at the end of the study period (24 hours).