Jennifer E. Stokes DVM, DACVIM, College of Veterinary Medicine

Hematometra secondary to anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity

S L. Padgett et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:44 PST

An adult, intact female Australian shepherd presented for frank vaginal bleeding of unknown duration. The only coagulation profile abnormality upon presentation was mild prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The uterus was removed at surgery and contained a large amount of coagulated blood. Clotting profiles were markedly abnormal 48 hours postoperatively. Serum analysis was positive for brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide. Preoperative coagulation was most likely normalized by vitamin K1 therapy administered prior to presentation. The only manifestation of anticoagulant rodenticide was hematometra. Rodenticide intoxication should be considered in the differential diagnosis list of hematometra or metrorrhagia.

Histiocytic ulcerative colitis in three non-boxer dogs

Jennifer E. Stokes et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:42 PST

Histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC) is described in three non-boxer dogs. Clinical signs were typical of large-bowel diarrhea and included soft stool, hematochezia, tenesmus, and an increased frequency of defecation. Diagnosis in each case was made by light microscopic evaluation of endoscopically obtained colonic biopsy specimens. Treatment regimes varied, but included immunosuppressive agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, antimicrobials, and dietary modification. Clinical response was substantial in two patients, while the third patient was euthanized due to treatment failure. The authors' observations indicate that HUC may be encountered in non-boxer dogs.

New and unusual causes of acute renal failure in dogs and cats

Jennifer E. Stokes et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:39 PST

This article provides a source for easy reference, summarizing in one location newly recognized and unusual causes of acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs and cats. Several of the causes discussed in this article have been described previously. New or unusual causes of ARF in dogs and cats include infectious diseases (leptospirosis,borreliosis, and babesiosis), nephrotoxicants (aminoglycosides,vitamin D, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and plant material (lilies and raisins/grapes).

Prevalence of serum antibodies against six Leptospira serovars in healthy dogs

Jennifer E. Stokes et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:36 PST

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of antibodies against 6 Leptospira serovars and determine risk factors associated with positive Leptospira titers in healthy client-owned dogs in Michigan. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 1,241 healthy dogs at least 4 months of age. PROCEDURES: Dogs were examined by veterinarians at private practices. Vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs were enrolled in the study, which occurred prior to the availability of a 4-serovar (Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona) Leptospira vaccine. Sera were tested by use of the microscopic agglutination test to determine antibody titers against Leptospira serovars Bratislava, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information about each dog to identify risk factors associated with seropositive status. RESULTS: 309 of 1,241 (24.9%) dogs had antibody titers against at least 1 of the 6 Leptospira serovars, which suggested exposure to Leptospira spp. Prevalence of antibodies was highest to serovar Grippotyphosa, followed by Bratislava, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona. Age, travel outside Michigan, exercise outside fenced yards, and exposure to livestock and wildlife were significant risk factors for positive titers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Among healthy dogs from the lower peninsula of Michigan, > 20% have antibodies against leptospiral serovars historically considered uncommon but more recently incriminated as causing clinical canine leptospirosis. Wildlife and livestock may be of increasing importance as reservoirs for canine leptospirosis as urbanization continues to occur. Expanded vaccination strategies may partially mitigate these trends.

Acute postrenal azotemia: etiology, clinicopathology, and pathophysiology

J Fischer et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:32 PST

When rupture or obstruction of the urinary tract prevents the normal collection and expulsion of urine from the body, the resulting azotemia is termed postrenal. Postrenal azotemia can coexist with prerenal and/or renal azotemia. Detection of postrenal azotemia requires attentiveness to the history and physical examination findings and to the results of specifically directed diagnostic tests. Prompt correction of postrenal causes of azotemia limits the potential for intrinsic renal damage and can contribute to a positive clinical outcome; therefore, postrenal azotemia should be investigated in all azotemic patients.

Causes of Acute Renal Failure

Jennifer E. Stokes et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:31 PST

Acute renal failure (ARF) is devastating in dogs and cats, with a mortality rate of over 50%. Causes include prerenal, intrinsic renal, and postrenal conditions. Infectious disease (leptospirosis, bacterial pyelonephritis, borreliosis) and toxicity (medications, plants, antifreeze) are the most common causes of ARF in dogs and cats. Ureteral obstruction in cats is being recognized more frequently as a postrenal cause of ARF.

Ultrasonographic observation of secretin-induced pancreatic duct dilation in healthy cats

Matthew L. Baron et al. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:46:27 PST

Secretin is a polypeptide hormone that stimulates secretion of bicarbonate from the exocrine pancreas and, in healthy human subjects, causes transient pancreatic duct dilation observable sonographically. In humans with chronic pancreatitis, secretin administration fails to cause pancreatic duct dilation, theoretically due to the restrictive effects of periductal fibrosis. We characterized the effect of exogenous secretin administration on the width of the pancreatic duct in nine healthy domestic cats. Cats were given a commercially available secretin product (ChiRho Stim) while the pancreatic duct was monitored sonographically. Mean pancreatic duct diameter increased from 0.77 +/- 0.33 to 1.42 +/- 0.40 mm after secretin administration (P = 0.0017). The mean percent increase in pancreatic duct diameter over basal diameter for all time points up to 15 min postsecretin administration was 101.9 +/- 58.8%. Applicability of this technique to diagnose chronic pancreatitis in cats will need to be investigated.