Urology/Nephrology

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) has developed a system to stage chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Proteinuria can be pre-glomerular, glomerular, or post-glomerular in origin.

Kidney disease is classically compartmentalized into acute and chronic disease, which is a convenient way to view what are very frequently markedly different manifestations of kidney disease.

The majority of uroliths submitted for analysis are retrieved from the lower urinary tract (primarily bladder, occasionally urethra).

Dr. C.W. Dewey gave an excellent lecture at the 2007 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum on ?Recent and Upcoming Developments with the New Anticonvulsant Drugs.?

A quarter-century ago, analysis of uroliths removed (usually by surgery) was optional. In fact, rather than have the stones analyzed, some veterinary practitioners gave them to their clients as a topic of conversation. What about today? Is it an acceptable standard of practice to give stones retrieved from the urinary tract to owners without knowing their composition? What would be your response to a physician who gave you stones retrieved from your urinary tract? Believe it or not, we have received uroliths for analysis formed by our veterinary colleagues that were given to them by a physician. Of course, we did not perform the requested analysis because we did not want to cross the line of practicing medicine without a license. Instead, we sent them to a laboratory licensed to provide that service.

Urinalysis is one of our most important clinical diagnostic tools. Unfortunately, most diagnostic reagent strips used to perform routine urinalyses in veterinary laboratories have been designed for human use.

Knowledge of urolith composition is important because contemporary methods of detection, treatment and prevention of the underlying causes of urolithiasis largely depend on knowledge of urolith composition.

A shift in your attitude can help your practice more than a change in prices.

A 3-year-old male non-castrated English Bulldog was admitted to the Veterinary Medical Center because of intermittent episodes of gross hematuria of two months' duration.

Definitively diagnosing canine hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) can be exceptionally difficult because nonadrenal illness can affect the test results. However, I think that the urine cortisol:creatinine ratio (UC:Cr) serves an invaluable role in ruling out canine Cushing's disease since a dog with a normal UC:Cr almost assuredly does not have Cushing's disease.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is by far the most common neoplasm of the urinary system in dogs.

I frequently notice a disparity between referred patients' in-house urinalysis results and laboratory-read urinalysis results.

Veterinarians often overlook the urinary tract when evaluating patients for endocrine diseases.

Feline urinary problems can frustrate both owners and veterinarians. To help us discern whether the problem is medical or behavioral or due to litter box issues, we have the owners complete this form. Inappropriate housesoiling is often due to a combination of these issues, and this form helps us narrow in on the cause and correct it. --Maureen Owen, LVT Fishers, Ind.

Feline urinary problems can frustrate both owners and veterinarians.

This study characterizes the clinicopathologic features in cats acutely obstructed, most for the first time, that were treated at an urban center.

Diagnostic analysis of urinalysis

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-An Internet/mail-order pet pharmacy, once disciplined for violating pharmacy laws, asks that clients protest to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if they cannot obtain their pet's prescription from its veterinarian to purchase drugs online. PetMed Express, Inc., chided by state officials in 1999 after a two-year investigation into company practices, offers an online complaint form for clients whose veterinarians refuse to authorize prescriptions for "non-medical reasons." Veterinarians often are reluctant to write drug prescriptions that enable clients to buy medications from discount pharmaceutical companies instead of from DVM offices-a practice that traditionally reaps profits.

Interpretation of color is subjective, and therefore varies from person to person. The most reliable results are obtained when a standardized method is consistently used. Urine color should be evaluated by placing a standardized volume of urine in a standardized clear plastic or glass container and viewing the sample against a white background with the aid of a good light source.

A lower urinary tract disease has been diagnosed in your cat. Here are some tips on how you can help your cat avoid another flare-up in the future.