Urology/Nephrology

Feline lower urinary tract diseases are characterized by hematuria, pollakiuria, and dysuria, and are common problems encountered in feline practice. It is estimated that they affect over one half million cats in the United States annually. Although there are numerous recognized causes of these signs, the exact cause is never identified in the majority of cases.

Anticipate and treat these seven conditions that can result from urethral obstruction.

What is the risk of leaving calculi after cystotomy?

In a recent study, researchers evaluated the use of indwelling, double-pigtail ureteral stents in dogs with ureteral obstruction secondary to trigonal malignancy.

Dr. Matthew Beal discusses this promising noninvasive alternative to cystostomy tubes.

Watch our August 2011 issue for results of the survey.

What is the most effective treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Don't fall prey to 6 oft-repeated urinalysis myths.

It's not a glamorous title, but polishing your communication skills can help attract business from clients whose cats experience litter box problems.

Direct visualization of the lower urinary tract can be important for the diagnosis and treatment of many disease processes. Evaluation of the urinary bladder, ureters, and proximal urethra is possible via surgical exploration; however uroendoscopy is a minimally-invasive technique which allows assessment of the lower urinary and distal reproductive tract.

Recurrent and resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among some of the most frustrating challenges veterinarians tackle in small animal practice.

There are many misconceptions regarding the significance of crystals found on routine urine sediment examination in dogs and cats. There is a large amount of information about the impact of diet, water intake, urine handling, breed, and many other possible contributing factors on the formation of crystals and stones.

Protein in the urine, particularly when it is of renal origin, can be an indicator of renal damage, and has been found to be associated with progression of renal disease. There are several reasons that protein can enter the urine, through a damaged glomerulus, through lack of reuptake by tubular epithelial cells, and through exudation into the tubular lumen.

One of the simplest and most cost effective diagnostic tools is at our disposal every day in practice, however we often overlook it and the large amount of data that it provides us. Urinalysis, including fresh sediment examination, can provide additional important information that complements and enhances the diagnostic information we gain from other diagnostic modalities such as serum chemistry, CBC, and the all-important physical examination.

Dogs and cats frequently present for signs related to the urinary tract. These signs may be due to inappropriate urination (house soiling or urinary incontinence) or may relate to the act of voiding itself.

Urinary incontinence is a common problem affecting up to 20% of spayed female dogs and 30% of those > 20 kg. In most of these patients it occurs within 3 years of spaying, although in many it may not become a major problem until later in life when it can be complicated by diseases that increase water intake and urine production.

Most cats with kidney uroliths have no clinical signs.

Urolith in the urethra, most commonly composed of calcium oxalate.

Dr. Valarie Tynes helps a client with a dog that has an unusual habit when visiting friends.

Why did this type of urolith increased in occurrence from 2003 to 2007?

You're taking "BizQuiz: Should you share this gossip?" Good luck!

This is an answer in "BizQuiz: Should you share this gossip?"

Can you solve the problem behind this dog's frustrating behavior in this interactive case?

Why some uroliths have more than one mineral type.

How reliable are bilirubin reagent pads in dogs and cats?

A Q&A with nephrology and veterinary urology specialist Jody Lulich

Study results indicate possible need for testing in these patients.

I had several banana split containers, so I brought the extras to the hospital to be used for urine collection.

In dogs, leptospirosis most commonly results in acute renal failure (ARF) with or without concurrent (or subsequent) hepatic disease. Although leptospirosis can cause ARF along with acute liver disease (or liver failure), ARF without liver disease has become the most common clinical presentation of the predominant serovars of leptospirosis affecting dogs in the US.