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Objectives The objectives of this study were to validate a commercially available luteinising hormone (LH) cat ELISA, to determine whether the increases in plasma LH concentration that occur after neutering are maintained throughout cats’ lives and if other factors such as calendar seasons in both intact and neutered cats, and neutering age in neutered cats, influence plasma LH concentrations. Methods Stored plasma samples from client-owned cats were used for the measurement of LH concentrations. Clinical data, including age, sex, age at neutering and medical history, were reviewed. Two populations were included in this study: (1) a senior and geriatric cat population (⩾9 years old), including 18 intact and 18 neutered cats matched for age, sex and month of sample collection; and (2) an adult cat population (2–8 years old), including 45 neutered cats. LH concentrations were measured using a commercially available feline ELISA. Results Senior and geriatric neutered cats had higher plasma LH concentrations than age-matched intact cats ( P Conclusions and relevance Neutering causes a significant long-term increase in LH concentrations in cats and further studies are required to determine the consequences on feline health.

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the variability in renal function markers in non-azotaemic and azotaemic cats, and also the rate of change in the markers. Methods Plasma creatinine concentration and its reciprocal, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine specific gravity (USG) were studied as markers of renal function in client-owned cats. GFR was determined using a corrected slope-intercept iohexol clearance method. Renal function testing was performed at baseline and a second time point. The within-population variability (coefficient of variation; CV%) was determined at the baseline time point. Within-individual variability (CV%) and rate of change over time were determined from the repeated measurements. Results Twenty-nine cats were included in the study, of which five had azotaemic chronic kidney disease. The within-individual variability (CV%) in creatinine concentration was lower in azotaemic cats than in non-azotaemic cats (6.81% vs 8.82%), whereas the within-individual variability in GFR was higher in azotaemic cats (28.94% vs 19.98%). The within-population variability was greatest for USG (67.86% in azotaemic cats and 38.00% in non-azotaemic cats). There was a negative rate of change in creatinine concentration in azotaemic and non-azotaemic cats (–0.0265 and –0.0344 µmol/l/day, respectively) and a positive rate of change of GFR in azotaemic and non-azotaemic cats (0.0062 and 0.0028 ml/min/day, respectively). Conclusions and relevance The within-individual variability data suggest creatinine concentration to be the more useful marker for serial monitoring of renal function in azotaemic cats. In contrast, in non-azotaemic cats, GFR is a more useful marker for serial monitoring of renal function. The majority of cats with azotaemic CKD did not have an appreciable decline in renal function during the study.

Practical relevance Numerous tests are available to the practitioner for quantifying proteinuria. It is important to understand the advantages and limitations of these tests and how the information gained can contribute to optimal patient management. Patient group Cats with chronic kidney disease or systemic hypertension, as well as geriatric cats without overt evidence of disease (including renal dysfunction), are at particular risk of proteinuria. Evidence base Several longitudinal studies of cats seen in first opinion clinics have shown an association between proteinuria and decreased survival time. However, it is unknown whether the deaths that occur in proteinuric cats are due to progression of renal disease because it is often difficult to ascribe a cause of death to a single underlying aetiology in clinical patients. It is also unknown whether proteinuria is contributing to disease progression in these cats or whether proteinuric renal disease is intrinsically more rapidly progressive. Clinical significance More aggressive investigation and management of patients with proteinuria may be appropriate since they are more likely to have progressive disease and/or increased mortality.

The objective of this study was to determine the outcome of cats with ureteric obstruction managed with double pigtail ureteric stents and to document the incidence of lower urinary tract signs at long-term follow-up. Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records (2009–2012) of 26 cats that underwent ureteric stent placement. Owners were contacted for follow-up, and a quality of life questionnaire completed. Survival to discharge after stent placement was 85% (22/26). Prevalence of postoperative uroabdomen necessitating further surgery was 15% (4/26). Stents were replaced 4–28 months after the initial surgery in four cats because of migration, fracture, encrustation causing luminal obstruction or sterile cystitis, respectively. Nine cats were alive at follow-up, which was 3–28 months after the original surgery. Nine cats had azotaemic chronic kidney disease and nine had signs related to sterile cystitis; three of these cats were euthanased as a result of the severity of the signs. Preoperative serum creatinine of the survivors (9.4 mg/dl, n = 9) was not significantly different from that of the non-survivors (6.5 mg/dl, n = 13; P = 0.295). Quality of life was assigned a mean score of 8/10. Median survival of cats following discharge was 419 days (range 44–994 days). Signs consistent with sterile cystitis affected 35% of cats. It was concluded that ureteric stent placement in cats was associated with a 15% mortality rate before hospital discharge. Long-term management of ureteric stents is associated with a high rate of lower urinary tract signs.

Clinical presentation and investigations An 11-week-old female domestic shorthair kitten presented with a history of constipation since weaning. Abdominal distension was noted on physical examination and abdominal radiographs revealed a large volume of faeces in the descending and transverse colon. Colonoscopy was unremarkable and euthanasia was performed at the owners' request. Diagnosis The histological diagnosis of large intestinal hypoganglionosis was made post mortem. Significance This appears to be the first reported case of congenital hypoganglionosis in a kitten with histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis. It may potentially be a more common cause of constipation in kittens and young cats than has previously been suspected.