Background Bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in dogs. Previous investigations found the prevalence of UTIs to be as high as 27% in healthy dogs. More recently, the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria (SBU) in healthy dogs has been found to be much lower, with values ranging between 2 and 9%. Creation of standards by human infectious disease specialists has led to greater efforts toward identification and characterization of SBU in dogs. Some studies have classified dogs as having occult UTIs on the basis of quantitative urine microbial culture results, regardless of the presence of clinical signs. It is possible that some of these dogs might be more appropriately classified as having SBU, since the term UTI, when used to describe bacterial cystitis, typically implies the presence of dysuria, pollakiuria, and urgency, in addition to bacteriuria. Except for pregnant women or people undergoing invasive urologic procedures, treatment is not recommended for human patients with SBU, even if they are immunosuppressed or are kidney transplant recipients. It is currently unknown whether dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and SBU require antimicrobial treatment. To the authors’ knowledge, the prevalence of UTI and bacteriuria in dogs with CKD has previously not been reported.
Background Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a malignancy of macrophages and dendritic cells that can manifest as either localized or disseminated disease. This distinction has historically been made based upon the number of organ systems affected at the time of diagnosis, because the morphology of HS is variable and cannot be used to reliably differentiate between the two anatomic forms. Disseminated disease is characterized by multiple tumors within several organ systems, while localized HS originates from a single organ. Common sites of localized disease include periarticular locations, bone, skin, subcutaneous tissues, and lung. Metastasis is common. Dogs with nonresectable or disseminated disease have a median survival time of 4 months when treated. Localized disease may have improved prognosis when treated with a combination of local and systemic therapy. Breed predilection includes Bernese mountain dogs, flat-cloated retrievers, golden retrievers, Labra dor retrievers, and Rottweilers. This tumor has rarely been reported in miniature schnauzers.
Background Cats living inside a home without any possibility of outdoor access must defecate in a litter box. To suit the cat’s needs, several recommendations seem to be agreed upon. The litter box must be clean and in a calm spot easily accessible to the cat. It must be in a size that fits the cat. The number of litter boxes has to be correlated with the number of cats present at home as well as the size of the household. The box should contain a substrate that allows the cat to comfortably dig in it. The box should be of a size and the litter of a style that the cat can defecate without soiling itself in the process. The litter should be sufficiently absorbent and manage odor. Facing a great range of commercial possibilities, cat owners must make a choice. There is no standard recommendation about substrate.
Background If surgical gonadectomy in cats is the most reliable and permanent method of contraception to date, then prepubertal gonadectomy increases that efficiency compared to gonadectomy at the traditional age of 6 months or later. In the latter case, some cats already may have reached adolescence before the procedure, potentially resulting in successful insemination, gestation, and parturition. Reservations toward prepubertal gonadectomy raised by veterinary practitioners are situated at the level of the technical aspects of the procedure (anesthetic and surgical protocols), the shortand long-term health outcomes, as well as concerns regarding the behavioral development of kittens. All but one of the studies investigating the effect of early gonadectomy on cat behavior claimed that behavior did not seem to be affected by prepubertal gonadectomy. The remaining studies found a decrease in occurrence of hyperactivity, increased timidity toward strangers in males and females, and an increase in hiding behavior in males when those behaviors were considered not to be serious problems by the owners.
