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Equine Veterinary Journal Mar 2022Further development of surgical techniques for equine cervical stabilisation is necessary to make the procedure less technically demanding, reduce complications and...
BACKGROUND
Further development of surgical techniques for equine cervical stabilisation is necessary to make the procedure less technically demanding, reduce complications and improve outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe clinical outcomes and owner reports in horses undergoing placement of an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct for cervical vertebral fusion in horses with cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case series.
METHODS
Data were retrieved from medical records of 10 horses undergoing cervical vertebral fusion (2015-2019). Records were evaluated for signalment, duration of clinical signs, number and location of compression sites, grade of ataxia, duration of hospitalisation and complications. Long-term follow-up was obtained through clinical re-evaluation, postoperative radiographs and owner contact.
RESULTS
Breeds were mixed. Median age was 24 (range 12-168) months. There were 2/10 mares, 4/10 geldings and 4/10 stallions. Preoperative grade of ataxia ranged from 1-3/5. Fusion was performed at one (n = 3) or two (n = 7) sites. Two horses were euthanised within the first year. In 6 of 8 horses with ≥1-year follow-up, ataxia improved by 1-3 grades, with an average improvement of 1.25 grades. In four horses, ataxia improved to grade 0-1. In two horses the gait was unaffected, but neck comfort improved. Complications included seroma formation (n = 9), pain (n = 5), fever (n = 4), upper respiratory tract obstruction (n = 2), azotemia (n = 2), screw breakage (n = 2), progression of neurological signs (n = 1), Horner's Syndrome (n = 1), dysphagia (n = 1), hives (n = 1), implant infection (n = 1) and nondisplaced fracture (n = 1).
MAIN LIMITATIONS
Small case series, heterogeneous patient population.
CONCLUSIONS
This technique resulted in ≥1 grade gait improvement in 6/10 cases operated and 6/8 cases for which ≥1-year follow-up was available, similar to other methods. Fatal complications related to implant placement did not occur. This technique may represent a safer alternative to current techniques of ventral interbody fusion with similar outcomes.
Topics: Animals; Cervical Vertebrae; Female; Horses; Male; Pedicle Screws; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Fusion; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33844334
DOI: 10.1111/evj.13449 -
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... Nov 2019In contrast to pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), which is a proliferative disorder of Langerhans cells that affects the lungs and other organs of cats, LCH...
In contrast to pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), which is a proliferative disorder of Langerhans cells that affects the lungs and other organs of cats, LCH involving a single organ system has not been documented in cats, to our knowledge. Herein we describe a case of pancreatic LCH in a 9-y-old castrated male Domestic Shorthaired cat that was evaluated for possible renal transplantation. The cat was hypoglycemic, hyperinsulinemic, and azotemic. Ultrasound examination revealed a diffusely enlarged, normoechoic pancreas. The cat was euthanized because of severe renal azotemia and the possibility of pancreatic neoplasia. Grossly, the pancreas was enlarged, and both kidneys were pale white, firm, and had irregular capsular surfaces. Histologically, the pancreas was expanded with interlobular, intraparenchymal, and ductal clusters of round-to-polygonal cells admixed with fibrous connective tissue and scattered lymphocytes. Infiltrating cells had a moderate amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm, round-to-indented nuclei with finely stippled chromatin and 1 or 2 nucleoli, and were strongly immunoreactive for CD18, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, and e-cadherin. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of the pancreatic changes were consistent with single-system LCH.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell; Male
PubMed: 31510879
DOI: 10.1177/1040638719874857 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine May 2020Soluble-type hemojuvelin in serum and urine has been shown to be a biomarker in humans for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). No similar...
BACKGROUND
Soluble-type hemojuvelin in serum and urine has been shown to be a biomarker in humans for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). No similar research has been conducted on cats.
OBJECTIVE
Urine hemojuvelin (u-hemojuvelin) can be used as a clinical indicator for cats with various renal diseases.
ANIMALS
Eighteen healthy cats, 10 cats with AKI, 21 cats with acute-on-chronic kidney injury (ACKI), and 45 cats with CKD were enrolled.
METHODS
The expression profile of u-hemojuvelin was assessed by Western blot analysis, whereas the u-hemojuvelin concentration was measured using an in-house sandwich ELISA. Each cat's u-hemojuvelin-to-creatinine ratio (UHCR) also was determined.
RESULTS
Significant differences were found in both u-hemojuvelin concentration and UHCR between the control cats and the other cats (AKI, CKD, ACKI). Both u-hemojuvelin and UHCR had high areas under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) for diagnoses of AKI (u-hemojuvelin, 0.885; UHCR, 0.982), CKD (hemojuvelin, 0.869; UHCR, 0.959), and ACKI (hemojuvelin, 0.910; UHCR, 1). Late stage (International Renal Interest Society, IRIS stages 3 and 4) CKD cats had significantly higher u-hemojuvelin concentration and UHCR than did early stage cats (IRIS stages 1 and 2). Both u-hemojuvelin and UHCR were significantly correlated with high blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, and plasma phosphate concentrations and with low hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell (RBC) count, and plasma albumin concentration. The UHCR values were also significantly correlated with white blood cell count in blood.
CONCLUSION
Both u-hemojuvelin and UHCR potentially can serve as diagnostic indicators for a range of renal diseases in cats.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Biomarkers; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; GPI-Linked Proteins; Hemochromatosis Protein; Male; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 32324955
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15781 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine May 2021Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are candidate biomarkers for the detection of early chronic kidney...
BACKGROUND
Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are candidate biomarkers for the detection of early chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate urinary and serum L-FABP and NGAL concentrations in CKD cats and in hyperthyroid cats before and after radioiodine ( I) treatment.
ANIMALS
Nine CKD cats, 45 healthy cats and hyperthyroid cats at 3 time points including before (T0, n = 49), 1 month (T1, n = 49), and 11 to 29 months after (T2, n = 26) I treatment.
METHODS
Cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Serum L-FABP (sL-FABP), serum NGAL (sNGAL), urinary L-FABP (uL-FABP), and urinary NGAL (uNGAL) were compared between the 3 groups and between hyperthyroid cats before and after treatment. Data are reported as median (min-max).
RESULTS
CKD cats had significantly higher sL-FABP (13.50 [3.40-75.60] ng/ml) and uL-FABP/Cr (4.90 [0.97-2139.44] µg/g) than healthy cats (4.25 [1.34-23.25] ng/ml; P = .01 and 0.46 [0.18-9.13] µg/g; P < .001, respectively). Hyperthyroid cats at T0 had significantly higher uL-FABP/Cr (0.94 [0.15-896.00] µg/g) than healthy cats (P < .001), thereafter uL-FABP/Cr significantly decreased at T2 (0.54 [0.10-76.41] µg/g, P = .002). For the detection of CKD, uL-FABP/Cr had 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.4-100.0) sensitivity and 93.2% (95% CI, 81.3-98.6) specificity. There were no significant differences in sNGAL and uNGAL/Cr between the 3 groups.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
L-FABP, but not NGAL, is a potential biomarker for the detection of early CKD in cats. Utility of uL-FABP to predict azotemia after treatment in hyperthyroid cats remains unknown.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Acute-Phase Proteins; Animals; Biomarkers; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; Hyperthyroidism; Iodine Radioisotopes; Lipocalin-2; Lipocalins; Liver; Longitudinal Studies; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 33723886
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16074 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Nov 2022Dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) can experience progressive renal tubular damage and dysfunction. The prevalence of renal tubular damage is not known in...
BACKGROUND
Dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) can experience progressive renal tubular damage and dysfunction. The prevalence of renal tubular damage is not known in dogs with stable MMVD.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate renal tubular damage in dogs with stable MMVD by evaluation of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL).
ANIMALS
Ninety-eight MMVD dogs grouped according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) staging (group B1, n = 23; group B2, n = 27; group C + D, n = 48) and 46 healthy dogs.
METHODS
Multicenter prospective observational study. Serum and urine chemistry including NGAL reported as uNGAL concentration (uNGAL) and normalized with urinary creatinine (uNGALC) were compared between MMVD dogs and healthy controls, and among different MMVD ACVIM stages.
RESULTS
The MMVD dogs had significantly higher uNGAL and uNGALC (1204 pg/mL; range, 30-39 732 and 1816 pg/mg; range, 22-127 693, respectively) compared to healthy dogs (584 pg/mL; range, 56-4072 and 231 pg/mg; range, 15-2407, respectively; P = .002 and P < .0001, respectively). Both uNGAL and uNGALC increased with the increasing ACVIM stage (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Renal tubular damage is present in dogs with stable MMVD, as measured by increased uNGAL. This tubular damage is subclinical, occurs in all stages of MMVD even in the absence of azotemia, and increases with the severity of MMVD. Reno-protective approaches to manage MMVD dogs should be explored to slow the progression of renal tubular damage in these patients.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Lipocalin-2; Mitral Valve; Heart Valve Diseases; Dog Diseases; Acute Kidney Injury
PubMed: 36196592
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16503 -
BMC Veterinary Research Nov 2022Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncommon neoplasm in cats. There is no established standard of treatment due to the rare occurrence of this disease in cats. Bortezomib is a...
BACKGROUND
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncommon neoplasm in cats. There is no established standard of treatment due to the rare occurrence of this disease in cats. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that serves as the first-line drug for MM in humans, but its effectiveness currently is unknown in feline MM. We present here the case report of a feline MM that exhibited a favorable response to bortezomib.
CASE PRESENTATION
The case was an 11-year-old non-castrated male domestic cat with light-chain MM presenting with clinical symptoms (anorexia, fatigue, and vomiting), mild azotemia, and pancytopenia. The cat failed on melphalan with prednisolone (MP), so bortezomib (Velcade) was initiated on Day 88. A total of 6 cycles of the treatment was performed, with each treatment cycle consisting of twice-weekly subcutaneous administration for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest. The dose of bortezomib was 0.7 mg/m for first week and 1.0 mg/m for second week in the first cycle. A dose of 0.7 mg/m was used for subsequent cycles. Prednisolone was used concomitantly in the first 2 cycles. Following treatment with bortezomib, clinical symptoms disappeared and a decrease in serum globulin and recovery of pancytopenia were noted. A monoclonal gammopathy, overproduction of serum immunoglobulin light chain, and Bence-Jones proteinuria that existed at diagnosis were undetectable on Day 123. A monoclonal gammopathy also was not detectable at the end of the bortezomib treatment (Day 213). Anorexia, fatigue, and marked bone marrow toxicity were experienced when bortezomib was administrated at a dose of 1.0 mg/m, while no recognizable toxicity was observed at a dose of 0.7 mg/m throughout the treatment period. The case was placed on follow-up and there was no evidence of relapse as of Day 243.
CONCLUSIONS
Bortezomib was effective and durable for the treatment of this case of feline MM after failure with MP. Bortezomib was well-tolerated in this cat at a dose of 0.7 mg/m, but not at 1.0 mg/m. Bortezomib appears to be a drug worthy of further study for the treatment of feline MM.
Topics: Humans; Cats; Male; Animals; Bortezomib; Multiple Myeloma; Pancytopenia; Anorexia; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Paraproteinemias; Prednisolone; Fatigue; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Treatment Outcome; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 36324112
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03484-1 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Aug 20214 alpacas and 2 llamas (11 months to 11 years old) from 2 properties were examined for lethargy (6/6), salivation and regurgitation (4/6), and recumbency (3/6). Signs...
CASE DESCRIPTION
4 alpacas and 2 llamas (11 months to 11 years old) from 2 properties were examined for lethargy (6/6), salivation and regurgitation (4/6), and recumbency (3/6). Signs developed approximately 48 to 72 hours after accidental access to black oil sunflower seeds.
CLINICAL FINDINGS
3 alpacas died suddenly prior to treatment and were necropsied. One llama survived, and 1 alpaca and 1 llama died after days of medical treatment. All 3 treated animals had systemic inflammatory signs including tachycardia, fever, and hematologic changes. Biochemical anomalies included azotemia, hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hypoalbuminemia. Necropsy identified numerous sunflower seeds in the gastrointestinal tract of all 5 animals that died, with pulmonary congestion (5/5 animals), mild centrilobular vacuolar hepatic degeneration (4/5), and erosions of the esophagus (3/5) and first (3/5) and third (1/5) compartments of the forestomach. Renal tubular necrosis was found in the 2 animals that died on day 4 of treatment.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
One llama responded successfully to intensive medical management including supplemented IV fluid therapy, oral and partial parenteral nutrition, and administration of antimicrobials, furosemide, and insulin and was clinically normal with plasma biochemical analysis values within reference range 12 weeks later. Vitamin D, oxalates, heavy metals, and mycotoxins were excluded as the cause of clinical signs on the basis of screening of uneaten seeds and tissue samples and gastric content from the treated llama that died.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Inadvertent large volume black oil sunflower seed ingestion resulted in a high mortality rate in camelids. A specific toxic principle was not identified. Feeding this product to camelids is not recommended to avoid the risk of accidental overingestion and subsequent disease.
Topics: Animals; Azotemia; Camelids, New World; Eating; Helianthus
PubMed: 34337963
DOI: 10.2460/javma.259.4.406 -
BMC Veterinary Research Aug 2023Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive wildlife species. However, CKD has been rarely documented in giant pandas.
BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive wildlife species. However, CKD has been rarely documented in giant pandas.
CASE PRESENTATION
The following report describes a case of an eight-year-old female giant panda showing clinical signs of epistaxis, bloody diarrhea, polyuria, azotemia and anemia. The animal died despite of supportive treatments. Necropsy was performed. Grossly, both kidneys were shrunken and scarred with pallor. Subcutis edema and petechia on the epicardium of the heart were observed. The tissue samples were made into paraffin sections and stained by H.E and special staining including Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), von Kossa, Masson's trichrome, Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH), and Congo red. Histopathology examination revealed severe chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with marked interstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy and calcification in kidneys, and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic myocarditis with calcification in heart. Other lesions included intestinal hemorrhage, hepatic fatty degeneration and necrosis with hemosiderin, and splenic hemosiderin.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, chronic kidney disease was finally diagnosed based on the association of clinical, gross, and histopathological findings. Heart failure secondary to CKD is the leading cause of death in this giant panda. The potential cause of CKD in this animal is possibly due to long term and uncontrolled hypertension. Blood pressure monitoring is essential in establishing the diagnosis and management of hypertension in giant panda.
Topics: Animals; Female; Ursidae; Hemosiderin; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Kidney; Hypertension
PubMed: 37612662
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03663-8 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Nov 2020Proteinuria has been associated with progression of renal disease and increased morbidity and mortality in dogs and people. In people, proteinuria also has been...
BACKGROUND
Proteinuria has been associated with progression of renal disease and increased morbidity and mortality in dogs and people. In people, proteinuria also has been associated with hypovitaminosis D. Little is known about the relationship between vitamin D metabolism and proteinuria in dogs.
OBJECTIVES
To further elucidate vitamin D status in dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and minimal to no azotemia. We hypothesized that vitamin D metabolites would be lower in dogs with PLN compared to healthy dogs.
ANIMALS
Twenty-three client-owned adult dogs with PLN and 10 healthy control dogs.
METHODS
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH] D), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25[OH] D), serum vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), and urine 25(OH)D concentrations were measured.
RESULTS
Compared to healthy dogs, dogs with PLN had lower concentrations of all vitamin D metabolites (P < .01). Correlations (rho; 95% confidence interval [CI]) in dogs with PLN are reported. Serum 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH) D concentrations were positively correlated with albumin (r = 0.47; 0.07-0.74), and 24,25(OH) D was negatively correlated with urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC; r = -0.54; -0.78 to -0.16). Urine 25(OH)D-to-creatinine ratio was negatively correlated with serum albumin concentration (r = -0.77; -0.91 to -0.50) and positively correlated with UPC (r = 0.79; 0.53-0.91). Serum VDBP concentration was positively correlated with serum albumin concentration (r = 0.53; 0.05-0.81).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Dogs with PLN have decreased serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. Urine 25(OH)D-to-creatinine ratio and UPC are correlated in PLN dogs. Future studies are needed to assess additional management strategies for dogs with PLN.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Proteinuria; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D-Binding Protein
PubMed: 33026128
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15912 -
Veterinary World Mar 2020Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals causing vesicular erosions in the oral cavity and interdigital space. The...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals causing vesicular erosions in the oral cavity and interdigital space. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the time-dependent changes in clinical, hematological, and biochemical profiles in different breeds of cattle following experimental infection.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The animals were inoculated with 1.0×10 50% bovine tongue infectious dose (BTID) by intradermolingual route. Clinical signs were observed, and blood/serum samples were collected at different time intervals.
RESULTS
The white blood cell count declined sharply on days 7-13 and recovered on day 14 post-FMD infection. Biochemical analysis of serum markers for vital organ profile revealed no marked damage. However, a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value indicated pre-renal azotemia. Transient hyperthyroidism was indicated by the rise in T3 and T4 that can be correlated with a decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. In the cardiac damage assessment study, a distinct breed difference was observed wherein Malnad Gidda calves showed no cardiac damage.
CONCLUSION
Except thyroid profile, BUN, and creatine kinase-myocardial band, all other serum biochemical parameters showed no significant abnormalities, whereas lymphopenia is the only hematological change and it is suggested that effective ameliorative measures should be targeted mainly on the feed/water intake, thyroid gland, and the level of lymphocytes.
PubMed: 32367945
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.426-432