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Author(s): Johnson, Lynelle R; Johnson, Eric G; Hulsebosch, Sean E; Dear, Jonathan D; Vernau, William | Abstract: BackgroundEosinophilic lung disease is a poorly understood inflammatory airway disease that results in substantial morbidity.ObjectiveTo describe clinical findings in dogs with eosinophilic lung disease defined on the basis of radiographic, bronchoscopic, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) analysis. Categories included eosinophilic bronchitis (EB), eosinophilic granuloma (EG), and eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP).AnimalsSeventy-five client owned dogs.MethodsMedical records were retrospectively reviewed for dogs with idiopathic BAL fluid eosinophilia. Information abstracted included duration and nature of clinical signs, bronchoscopic findings, and laboratory data. Thoracic radiographs were evaluated for the pattern of infiltrate, bronchiectasis, and lymphadenomegaly.ResultsThoracic radiographs were normal or demonstrated a bronchial pattern in 31 dogs assigned a diagnosis of EB. Nine dogs had intraluminal mass lesions and were bronchoscopically diagnosed with EG. The remaining 35 dogs were categorized as having EBP based on radiographic changes, yellow green mucus in the airways, mucosal changes, and airway collapse. Age and duration of cough did not differ among groups. Dogs with EB were less likely to have bronchiectasis or peripheral eosinophilia, had lower total nucleated cell count in BAL fluid, and lower percentage of eosinophils in BAL fluid compared to dogs in the other 2 groups. In contrast to previous reports, prolonged survival (g55 months) was documented in dogs with EG.Conclusions and clinical importanceDogs with eosinophilic lung disease can be categorized based on imaging, bronchoscopic and BAL fluid cytologic findings. Further studies are needed to establish response to treatment in these groups.

Author(s): Reagan, Krystle L; Dear, Jonathan D; Kass, Philip H; Sykes, Jane E | Abstract: BackgroundCandida urinary tract infections occur in both dogs in cats but there is limited data about risk factors.ObjectiveTo identify risk factors for candiduria in dogs in cats.AnimalsEighteen dogs and 8 cats with candiduria.MethodsA retrospective case-control study, using univariate exact logistic regression. Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of Candida and animals with culture-confirmed candiduria were enrolled. Controls had bacterial cystitis (dogs and cats) or cutaneous Malassezia infection (dogs only).ResultsAdministration of antibacterial drugs in the 30 days before diagnosis was associated with candiduria in dogs compared to controls with bacterial cystitis (OR 14.5; 95% CI 3.1-66.9) or with Malassezia infection (OR 26.4; 95% CI 3.4-206.7). Antecedent antibacterial drug administration was associated with candiduria in cats (OR 15.7; 95% CI 1.9-132.3). Immunosuppression was associated with candiduria in dogs when compared to controls with Malassezia infection (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-12.8), but not significantly when compared to dogs with bacterial cystitis (OR 2.7, 95% CI 0.9-8.0). Lower urinary tract diseases other than infection were associated with candiduria in cats (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.6-27.9), but not significantly in dogs (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.7-8.7). Neither diabetes mellitus nor history of hospitalization was significantly associated with candiduria in either species.Conclusions and clinical importanceThe recent administration of antibacterial drug therapy is a potential risk factor for development of candiduria in dogs and cats. Judicious use of antibacterial drugs might help to prevent candiduria.

Author(s): Dear, Jonathan D; Vernau, William; Johnson, Eric G; Hulsebosch, Sean E; Johnson, Lynelle R | Abstract: BackgroundAspiration pneumonia (AP) and bronchopneumonia (BP) are poorly characterized diseases in cats that share clinical similarities to inflammatory airway disease (IAD).ObjectivesDescribe clinicopathologic, radiographic, and microbiologic features in cats with AP and BP and compare findings to those in cats with IAD.AnimalsThirty-three cats with AP and 26 with BP; 44 cats with IAD.MethodsRetrospective case-control study. Results extracted for all cats included signalment, physical examination findings, historical details, and potential risk factors for aspiration. Diagnostic test results were summarized including CBC, bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid analysis and microbial culture. Radiographs were reviewed in masked fashion and scored for severity. Results of BAL fluid analysis were assessed for evidence of septic inflammation.ResultsCats with AP were less likely to be presented for evaluation of cough (P l .001) and more likely to be hypothermic (P = .01) than were cats with IAD or BP. Median duration of signs was significantly shorter in cats with AP (12 days) compared to cats with BP or IAD (270 and 180 days; P = .01). Radiographically, cats with AP were more likely to have an alveolar pattern and higher total score than were cats with BP or IAD. Mycoplasma spp. were the organisms most commonly cultured from BAL fluid in cats with BP, but were not cultured from any cats with AP.Conclusion and clinical importancePneumonia must be distinguished from IAD in cats with cough and AP should be considered in cats with acute onset of tachypnea.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T23:10:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-09-01 Center for Companion Animal Health Judith McBean Foundation BackgroundObjectivesBabesia conradae is an intraerythrocytic piroplasm infecting dogs in the southern United States. Ticks have been suspected, but unproven, as vectors. We identified B. conradae and other blood-borne pathogens in 2 kennels of sighthounds with a history of coyote fighting. To examine clinicopathologic abnormalities associated with B. conradae infection, risk factors for infection, and the prevalence of coinfections with other blood-borne pathogens. AnimalsMethodsFifty-five Greyhounds and Greyhound mixes Blood samples were collected from each dog for CBC, serum biochemistry panel, conventional and real-time PCR assays (Babesia spp., hemoplasmas, Ehrlichia canis, Bartonella spp., Anaplasma spp., and Rickettsia spp.), vector-borne pathogen ELISA, and immunofluorescent serology and culture for Bartonella spp and Francisella tularensis sero-agglutination test. Associations between B. conradae infection and coyote fighting, age and laboratory abnormalities were investigated. ResultsConclusions and Clinical ImportanceTwenty-nine dogs were PCR-positive for B. conradae. Of these, 16 were PCR-positive for other vector-borne organisms including Mycoplasma haemocanis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, E. canis, and a Hepatozoon felis-like organism. Twelve of the 20 dogs tested for seroreactivity to Bartonella spp. antigens were positive, but none were seropositive for tularemia. Infection with B. conradae was associated with a history of aggressive interactions with coyotes; lower hematocrit, leukocyte count, MCHC, platelet count and serum albumin concentration; and higher MCV, MPV, and serum globulin concentration. Babesia conradae infection should be considered in dogs with anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia. As with B. gibsoni, aggressive interactions with other canids may play a role in B. conradae transmission. Univ Calif Davis, Sch Vet Med, Dept Med & Epidemiol, Davis, CA 95616 USA Univ Calif Davis, Sch Vet Med, Dept Pathol Microbiol & Immunol, Davis, CA 95616 USA Univ Fed Parana, Dept Vet Med, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Univ Calif Davis, Sch Vet Med, Dept Populat Hlth & Reprod, Davis, CA 95616 USA Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Vet Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Vet Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Background: Development of hypocalcemia after treatment of hyperparathyroidism results in increased costs and risk of poorer outcomes. Previous studies have shown conflicting data about predictors of hypocalcemia after these procedures. Hypothesis/Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations before treatment are predictive of hypocalcemia or its clinical signs after surgical removal or heat ablation in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism. Animals: Fifty-four dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism (29 female, 25 male; 49 retrospective, 5 prospective). Methods: Dogs were enrolled if they met the inclusion criteria: persistent hypercalcemia (iCa >1.41 mmol/L) due to primary hyperparathyroidism and absence of preemptive calcitriol treatment. All dogs were treated with parathyroidectomy (n = 37) or percutaneous ultrasound-guided heat ablation (n = 17). After treatment, iCa was monitored twice daily until plateau or intervention. Results: There was a moderate correlation between before-treatment hypercalcemia and after-treatment hypocalcemia. The prospective study was terminated due to ethical concerns given findings in the retrospective section. All dogs were placed into groups according to their pretreatment iCa: 1.46–1.61 mmol/L, 1.62–1.71 mmol/L, iCa 1.72–1.81 mmol/L, or >1.81 mmol/L. After treatment, the mean lowest iCa for each group, respectively, was 1.19, 1.18, 1.13, and 1.01 mmol/L. There was a significant association between higher group and proportion of dogs with iCa

Background Struvite urolithiasis with bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) is commonly reported in dogs; few data exist to describe successful dissolution protocols in dogs with naturally occurring disease. We hypothesized that a dry therapeutic urinary diet combined with targeted antimicrobial therapy can effectively dissolve presumptive struvite cystolithiasis in dogs with naturally occurring urease-producing bacterial UTI. Results Ten dogs with presumed infection-induced struvite cystolithiasis based on lower urinary tract signs (LUTS), radiodense cystoliths, and urease-producing bacterial UTI were enrolled. At enrollment, antimicrobials and dry therapeutic urinary diet were dispensed. In addition to lack of radiographic resolution of urolithiasis, dogs with persistent clinical signs were considered non-responders. There was no significant difference in pH between responders and non-responders; USG was significantly higher in the responder group. Recheck visits continued until radiographic dissolution or failure was documented. Five of the 10 dogs achieved radiographic dissolution of cystolithiasis within a median of 31 days (range 19–103). In the other 5 dogs, surgical urolith removal was necessary due to persistent LUTS (3 dogs within 2 weeks) or lack of continued dissolution noted radiographically (1 dog with numerous cystoliths failed at day 91; 1 dog failed by day 57 with questionable owner compliance). Conclusions Dissolution of urinary tract infection induced struvite cystoliths can be accomplished in some dogs fed this dry therapeutic urinary diet in conjunction with antimicrobial therapy. Case selection could increase the likelihood of successful dissolution; however, if calcium phosphate is present, this could also prevent stone dissolution. If clinical signs persist despite diet and antimicrobials, stone removal is advised. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-019-1992-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

OBJECTIVE To describe and evaluate outcomes of a multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach combining lacrimoscopy and fluoroscopically guided stenting for management of nasolacrimal apparatus (NLA) obstruction in dogs. DESIGN Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. ANIMALS 16 client-owned dogs with confirmed NLA obstruction. PROCEDURES Dogs underwent CT contrast dacryocystorhinography, rhinoscopy, and lacrimoscopy. Whenever possible, the NLA was stented, typically with fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS Median duration of clinical signs prior to treatment was 3.2 months (range, 0.2 to 14 months). Causes of NLA obstruction were a foreign body (n = 5), dacryocystitis (4), stenosis secondary to fibrosis (3), granulation tissue (1), or granulation tissue in association with a small foreign body (1); a cause was not identified in 2 dogs. Stents were placed in 14 of 16 (88%) dogs for a median duration of 5.6 weeks (range, 1.3 to 9.4 weeks). Stenting was not possible in 2 dogs with stenosis of the NLA secondary to granulation tissue or fibrosis. Owners of all 16 dogs reported at least 60% clinical improvement with median improvement rated as 95%, and owners of 8 dogs reporting complete resolution of signs. Two dogs required antimicrobial administration because of dacryocystitis that persisted after stent removal; a foreign body was not found in either dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Overall clinical response and owner-rated improvement for dogs with NLA obstruction that underwent lacrimoscopy and fluoroscopically guided stenting were high, especially given that these dogs had failed to respond to conventional treatment.

Practical relevance: Respiratory endoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate the airways for the presence of mass lesions or foreign material while allowing for sample collection for cytologic and microbiologic assessment. While bronchial disease (eosinophilic or neutrophilic) is the most common lower respiratory disease identified in cats, infectious, anomalous and neoplastic conditions can clinically mimic inflammatory bronchial disease. Diagnostic imaging is unable to define the etiology for clinical signs of cough, tachypnea or respiratory difficulty, necessitating visual evaluation and collection of airway samples. Endoscopy allows intervention that can be life-saving and also confirmation of disease, which is important given that life-long medication is likely to be required for management of inflammatory airway disease. Patient group: Cats with either airway or pulmonary disease benefit from laryngoscopy, tracheoscopy and bronchoscopy to determine an etiologic diagnosis. In the best situation, animals that require these procedures present early in the course of disease before clinical decompensation precludes anesthetic intervention. However, in some instances, these tests must be performed in unstable cats, which heightens the risk of the procedure. Cats that do not respond to empiric medical therapy can also benefit from bronchoscopic evaluation. Clinical challenges: Due to the small size of feline airways and the tendency for cats to develop laryngospasm, passage of endoscopic equipment can be difficult. Bronchoconstriction can lead to hemoglobin desaturation with oxygen and respiratory compromise. Evidence base: This article reviews published studies and case reports pertaining to the diagnostic approach to feline respiratory disease, focusing specifically on endoscopic examination of the lower airways in cats. It also discusses appropriate case selection, equipment, endoscopic techniques and visual findings based primarily on the authors’ experiences.

Bacterial pneumonia is a common clinical diagnosis in dogs but seems to occur less often in cats. Underlying causes include viral infection, aspiration injury, foreign body inhalation, and defects in clearance of respiratory secretions. Identification of the specific organisms involved in disease, appropriate use of antibiotics and adjunct therapy, and control of risk factors for pneumonia improve management.

The objective of the study was to characterize the signalment, clinicopathologic data, and diagnostic imaging of cats with urate urolithiasis, as well as the salts of uric acid present in the uroliths. A retrospective analysis of feline urate uroliths submitted to the GV Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory between 2000 and 2008 was included. From these data, records were assimilated from referring veterinarians (143); furthermore, all recorded cases from within the William R Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (16) were included. Median values for the complete blood count and chemistry panels available were within the reference intervals, when provided, with only a few outliers present. Of all cases evaluated, seven had a portosystemic shunt (PSS). Cats with urate uroliths and a PSS were younger than cats without a PSS (2 years vs 7 years). The pathogenesis of urate uroliths in cats is poorly understood. Most cats were not completely evaluated for a PSS, however, clinicopathologic parameters indicating hepatic dysfunction were seldom noted; more sensitive diagnostics such as serum bile acids were rarely performed to confirm or negate the presence of a shunt. Studies are warranted to evaluate pathogenesis of urate uroliths to tailor proper management and breeding strategies.