The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine presented initial consensus guidelines for canine urinary incontinence this year. This review article lead this author to summarize the current knowledge of urinary incontinence in the dog in a practical manner. Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary loss of urine that is neither appropriate to the place nor the time of voiding. All age groups and all breeds of dogs can be affected with varying degrees of severity. The amount of urine loss does not correlate with owners' motivation to seek veterinary care. A detailed history should help differentiate urinary storage disorders from urinary voiding disorders. The history includes questions about the general health condition, drinking behaviour, micturition behaviour and dribbling of urine. Clinical examination should cover the general condition of the dog, neurological status, external examination of the urogenital tract and rectal examination of the urethra and prostate. Diagnostic imaging, namely ultrasound, radiography (survey and contrast radiography) and CT are indicated for further examination. Laboratory diagnostics include urinary status and a hematological and biochemical profile. Before proceeding with invasive urethrocystoscopy, diagnostic drug therapy can be started. The most common urinary storage disorders include urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, ectopic ureter, and detrusor instability. In the case of urinary storage disorders, polyuria/polydypsia should be ruled out or worked on at first presentation. Urinary voiding disorders are subdivided into mechanical and functional disorders. Idiopathic detrusor urethral dyssynergia represents a common functional disorder in medium to large size male dogs. Neurological disorders can cause both urinary storage and functional voiding disorders. In many cases, effective medication is available; in other cases, therapeutic endoscopic or open surgical procedures have been established. Placement of a percutaneous cystostomy cathete may be a final option.

A six-year-old Sphynx breeding cat was presented with acute haematuria, pollakisuria and periuria as well as with a left-sided inguinal space occupying lesion. According to the owner the inguinal mass had developed after parturition two years before. In the meantime, the cat had given birth to two more litters. Contrast radiographic examination by retrograde cystography revealed the urinary bladder to be located within the inguinal space occupying lesion outside the abdominal cavity. An inguinal hernia was diagnosed upon surgical exposure of the urinary bladder. A herniorrhaphy was performed without any complications. The cat was subsequently excluded from breeding.

A 10-year-old male German Shepard dog was presented with symptoms of upper airway obstruction. Inspection of the pharynx revealed a soft tissue nasopharyngeal mass protruding into the oropharynx and partially obstructing the laryngeal entrance. A computed tomography scan of the head showed a corresponding tissue mass originating from the soft palate, with an extension into the nasopharynx. After surgical resection via nasopharyngotomy, the tissue mass was histopathologically diagnosed as a mastocytoma. Surgery was followed by adjuvant immunotherapy with dendritic cells cultured from autologous monocytes. The clinical symptoms of upper airway disease were no longer present over the follow-up period of two years, after which, the dog was euthanised due to cauda equina syndrome.

Over 94 million domestic cats are susceptible to cancers and other common and rare diseases. Whole exome sequencing (WES) is a proven strategy to study these disease-causing variants. Presented is a 35.7 Mb exome capture design based on the annotated Felis_catus_9.0 genome assembly, covering 201,683 regions of the cat genome. Whole exome sequencing was conducted on 41 cats with known and unknown genetic diseases and traits, of which ten cats had matching whole genome sequence (WGS) data available, used to validate WES performance. At 80 × mean exome depth of coverage, 96.4% of on-target base coverage had a sequencing depth > 20-fold, while over 98% of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) identified by WGS were also identified by WES. Platform-specific SNVs were restricted to sex chromosomes and a small number of olfactory receptor genes. Within the 41 cats, we identified 31 previously known causal variants and discovered new gene candidate variants, including novel missense variance for polycystic kidney disease and atrichia in the Peterbald cat. These results show the utility of WES to identify novel gene candidate alleles for diseases and traits for the first time in a feline model.

During embryonic development both kidneys are formed within the lumbosacral mesoderm. Upon stretching of the embryo into an upright position both kidneys finally reach the body level of first two lumbar vertebrae. Failure of renal ascent results in formation of a pelvic kidney. Up to the present, feline pelvic kidneys are asymptomatic coincidental findings. This case report represents a ten year old torn cat diagnosed with a pelvic kidney upon presentation for reduced appetite, vomitus and urinary retention. The pelvic kidney was slightly smaller in size as compared to the contralateral orthotopic kidney, showed a regular parenchymal pattern sonographically and a regular urinary outflow pattern urographically. Stimulation of sensible nociceptors within the upper urinary tract through mechanical or ischemic triggers due to malpositioned organs with activation of sensible afferent neuronal pathways and collateral autonomous neuronal pathways may already explain clinical symptoms of this case. After pexy of the pelvic kidney to the caudal abdominal wall, the cat recovered uneventfully.

In dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), DNA sequencing permits the differentiation of BRAF gene V595E mutant dogs from wildtype dogs. The aim of the present study was to compare both groups with regard to tumour variables and survival rate. Over a period of three years, medical records of dogs were retrospectively screened for TCC diagnosed histopathologically from transurethral biopsies. Only cases in which sufficient biopsy material was still available for genetic analysis were included in the study. DNA isolation from tumour cells was carried out with commercially available test kits. The presence of the BRAF mutation V595E was examined by Sanger sequencing. Information about the dogs' clinical history, urethrocystoscopic findings, metastatic spread (as evinced by thoracic X-ray and transabdominal ultrasonography) and the treatment modalities used were gleaned from the clinical records. Discrete tumour variables of mutant and wildtype dogs were compared using Fisher's exact test. The survival rates were calculated with Kaplan-Meier plots. The study population consisted of a total number of 29 dogs. The average age of the dogs was 10.8 years and the sex distribution was three females to one male. At the time of diagnosis, TCC was found in the urethra in 19/29 dogs (65.5%). Local lymphatic spread was diagnosed in 10/27 (37.2%), while distant metastatic spread was diagnosed in 6/27 (22.2%). Pathological grading revealed high-grade tumours in 18/25 cases (72.0%) and low-grade ones in 7/25 cases (28.0%). A BRAF mutation V595E was found in 16 of the 29 dogs (55.2%), but not in the other 1 3 (44. 8 %). There was no statistical difference in any of the tumour variables between the mutant and wildtype dogs. The treatment modalities consisted of palliative transurethral laser ablation, non-steroidal or metronomic chemotherapy, partial bladder resection, a combination thereof, or of no treatment at all. From the time of diagnosis of TCC, the mutant dogs and wildtype dogs had a median survival time of eleven months and five months, respectively. There was no significant difference between the survival times of the two groups (p<0.05). In this study, mutant dogs and wildtype dogs could not be differentiated clinically. With the meanwhile introduction of BRAF testing into commercial routine laboratory analysis, further studies on a larger population of dogs with TCC are needed to show whether a BRAF V595E mutation could per se prove to be a positive prognostic factor for survival.

Objective Description of clinical experience with two different lithotripsy modalities for treatment of urethral stones in dogs. Material and methods Retrospective analysis (October 2016 - November 2017) of medical records from dogs with urinary stones that underwent transurethral pneumatic or laser lithotripsy. Results In 28 male and 5 female dogs, either pneumatic lithotripsy (39 %) or laser lithotripsy (61 %) was performed. In the urethra, stone free rates of 100 % in females and over 85 % in males could be achieved using either fragmentation modality. In 3 of 28 (11 %) male dogs, after fragmentation of urethral stones, urethral patency was impaired because of endoscopically suspected polypoid urethritis requiring urethrostomy. In 8 out of 28 (29 %) male dogs and in 1 of 5 (20 %) female dogs, an additional lithocystotomy was necessary to achieve stone-free status in the lower urinary tract. Conclusion and clinical relevance Transurethral pneumatic or laser lithotripsy of urinary stones is a successful procedure in dogs. Major pathological conditions of the urethral mucosa may require further surgical or interventional methods for the restoration of a functional urethra.

The aim of this case report is to describe the treatment of a 6-year-old female Great Dane with struvite bladder stones. Two stones had a maximum diameter of 4.0 and 4.5 cm, respectively; while numerous smaller stones measured up to to cm in diameter. A urinary tract infection with Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus G species was also present. A reduction in stone size did not occur in spite of dietary urine acidification combined with antibiotic treatment for four weeks. Thereafter, the bladder stones were fragmented using transurethral lithotripsy with a Mauermayer stone punch (Karl Storz, Germany). The fragments were removed through the urethra. Although constructed for application in the human, the Mauermayer stone punch with a 24 French gauge outer diameter (8 mm) and a working length of 30 cm was also applicable to the female Great Dane due to similar anatomic proportions in both species. All the manipulations were performed through an accompanying working sheath for protection of the urethra against repeated insertional trauma and against sharp-edged stone fragments during removal. By application of the stone punch, a conventional cystolithotomy could be avoided. This was of particular interest, because of the dog's history of complications in abdominal wound healing after conventional castration that needed surgical revision. Other techniques for bladder stone removal such as transurethral lithotripsy or minimally invasive percutaneous cystolithotomy have been reported for use in dogs with smaller urinary stones but were of questionable benefit in the Great Dane presented in this report, because of the expected prolonged anaesthesia time. Although successful in this patient, further application of punch lithotripsy is needed for defining its suitability with regard to breed and body weight. A stone punch of smaller size for application in smaller breeds is currently not available commercially.

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel Beschreibung der klinischen Erfahrungen mit zwei verschiedenen Lithotripsieverfahren zur Behandlung von Harnröhrensteinen beim Hund. Material und Methoden Retrospektive Auswertung (Oktober 2016 bis November 2017) klinischer Daten von Hunden mit Harnröhrensteinen, bei denen eine transurethrale pneumatische oder laserenergetische Lithotripsie erfolgte. Ergebnisse Im genannten Zeitraum wurde bei 28 Rüden und 5 Hündinnen mit Harnröhrensteinen eine pneumatische (39 %) oder eine laserenergetische (61 %) Lithotripsie durchgeführt. In der Harnröhre konnten mit beiden Verfahren Steinfreiheitsraten von 100 % bei Hündinnen und von 85 % bei Rüden erreicht werden. Bei 3 der 28 Rüden (11 %) zeigte sich das endoskopische Bild einer hochgradigen polypoiden Urethritis, die das Urethralumen trotz Konkremententfernung weiter einengte und die Anlage einer Urethralfistel erforderte. Bei 8 der 28 Rüden (29 %) und bei 1 der 5 Hündinnen (20 %) wurde zusätzlich eine Zystolithotomie notwendig, um eine vollständige Steinfreiheit im unteren Harntrakt zu erreichen. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Eine transurethrale Lithotripsie von Harnröhrensteinen lässt sich beim Hund mit relativ hoher Erfolgsquote sowohl pneumatisch als auch laserenergetisch durchführen. Bei gravierenden Gewebeveränderungen der Harnröhrenschleimhaut können zusätzliche chirurgische oder interventionelle Maßnahmen zur Wiederherstellung der Harnröhrenfunktion erforderlich werden.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) refers to a malignant transformation of the epithelial lining of the urinary tract. Common breeds at risk are the Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Sheltie and Beagle, typically diagnosed at the age of 8-10 years. Malignant transformation can be triggered by environmental carcinogenic substances that are excreted in the urine. Early clinical signs of TCC resemble urinary tract infections. In the advanced state of the disease, neoplastic cells may be detected in the urinary sediment in up to 30% of all cases. Ultrasonographically based transabdominal fine needle aspiration is a simple method for collecting neoplastic cell material from within the urinary bladder, but is generally not recommended due to the tumour's ability to transplant itself along biopsy tracts. Further information about urethral spread of TCC may be gained by urethrography. However, the full extent of urothelial neoplastic changes can only be appreciated during urethrocystoscopy. Information about regional lymph node involvement and metastatic spread are gained by abdominal ultrasonography, thoracic and bone radiography or by full-body CT scan. Dogs suffering from TCC are more likely to die from local disease than from systemic metastatic spread. Regional tumour resection rarely provides longer survival times compared to non-surgical treatments. Consequently, surgical treatment is only recommended in selected cases. Common non-surgical treatment options include application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and systemic chemotherapy. Other treatment modalities, that have rarely been applied so far, include metronomic chlorambucil chemotherapy, radiotherapy, palliative transurethral diode laser resection, or intralesional Interleukin-2 injection. Median survival time over all treatment options is up to one year. Major prognostic factors are neoplastic urethral involvement and the presence of metastatic disease at the start of treatment. It should be noted that drug-resistant urinary tract infection can mimic TCC progression. In practice, canine TCC is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. Therapeutic decisions should be made in the view of the dog's quality of life, requiring a close follow-up and a change of treatment modalities with regard to ethical aspects and financial constraints.

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Übergangszellkarzinome (ÜZCa) sind die häufigsten malignen Tumoren der harnableitenden Wege beim Hund. In früheren Studien wurde mittels DNA-Sequenzierung in Urinproben, Gefrier- und Paraffinmaterial von Harnblasenbioptaten die Mutation im BRAF-Gen V595E bei bis zu 85 % der kaninen ÜZCa in den Tumorzellen identifiziert. Ziel der eigenen Arbeit war, diese Methode für zytologische Ausstriche zu etablieren und die Prävalenz dieser Mutation im eigenen Kollektiv zu untersuchen. Material und Methoden: Es wurden 43 formalinfixierte Bioptate, 48 Urinproben und/oder 31 zytologische Ausstriche von 66 Hunden mit ÜZCa (n = 33), Harnblasenpolypen (n = 7), Zystitis (n = 23) oder ohne Harnblasenerkrankung (n = 3) analysiert. Die DNA-Isolierung erfolgte mit kommerziell erhältlichen Testkits. Das Exon 15 wurde mittels Sanger-Sequenzierung auf das Vorliegen der BRAF-Mutation c.1784T>A untersucht. Ergebnisse: Aus 39/43 Paraffinproben, 38/48 Urinproben und 16/18 zellreichen Ausstrichen ließ sich eine ausreichende Menge auswertbarer DNA isolieren. Bei 10/13 zellarmen Ausstrichen reichte die DNA für eine aussagefähige PCR nicht aus. In allen Fällen, in denen verschiedene Materialien vorlagen, stimmten die Ergebnisse der BRAF-Genanalyse in den Paraffin-, Urin- und/oder Zytologieproben des jeweiligen Hundes überein, sofern sich DNA isolieren ließ. Bei 22/31 Hunden (70,9 %) mit einem ÜZCa wurde die Mutation festgestellt, während sie bei keinem Hund mit Zystitis, Polypen oder ohne Harnblasenveränderung gefunden wurde. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Die Untersuchung auf Vorliegen einer BRAF-Variante stellt ein gutes neues Verfahren dar, mit dem sich in Zweifelsfällen die Verdachtsdiagnose eines ÜZCa häufig absichern lässt. Für die Methode eignen sich alle nichtinvasiv gewonnenen, zellreichen Materialien wie Ausstriche von Urinsediment oder Ansaugbioptate sowie formalinfixierte Bioptate. Aber nur der positive Befund ist beweisend. Hinsichtlich der prognostischen und therapeutischen Relevanz sowie der Möglichkeiten einer Frühdiagnostik von ÜZCa mittels der BRAF-Mutationsanalyse bedarf es weiterer Untersuchungen.

Objective: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common malignant tumour of the canine urinary tract. Previously, the mutation of the BRAF gene V595E was identified in approximately 85% of canine TCC cases by DNA sequencing of TCC tumour cells, both in frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections, as well as in urine. The objective of this study was to establish these methods in cytological smears and to investigate the prevalence of BRAF mutation V595E in canine TCC in our cohort of patients. Material and methods: Biopsy samples (n = 43), urine (n = 48) and/or cytological smears (n = 31) from 66 dogs with TCC (n = 33), urinary bladder polyps (n = 7), cystitis (n = 23) or without bladder diseases (n = 3), submitted for routine diagnostics, were selected. DNA isolation from paraffin material, urine and cytological smears was performed using commercially available kits. Exon 15 was examined for the presence of the BRAF mutation c.1784T>A by Sanger sequencing. Results: In 39/43 paraffin-embedded biopsies and 38/48 urine samples, a sufficient amount of good quality DNA was isolated. DNA isolation and sequencing were successful in 16/18 smears with a high cell count, but not in the 10/13 smears with low cellularity. In all cases from which different sample materials were available, the results of BRAF analysis were identical in paraffin-embedded tissue, cytological smears and/or urine. In 22/31 dogs (70.9%) with TCC, the presence of the BRAF mutation was confirmed, whereas it could not be detected in animals without pathological findings or with cystitis or with a polyp. Conclusion and clinical relevance: BRAF mutation analysis is a new and good method to be able to mostly confirm a diagnosis of TCC in uncertain cases. Non-invasive diagnostic samples, including urine and urine sediment containing sufficient numbers of relevant cells as well as cytology aspirates and formalin-fixed biopsies can be used for analysis. However, it is important to note that only a positive identification of the mutation is diagnostic. Further research is necessary to investigate prognostic and therapeutic relevance of the variant and how this genetic analysis can be used as an early detection method for TCC.

Urolithiasis often requires surgical treatment. Alternative methods of minimally invasive laser-assisted stone fragmentation are rarely offered because of equipment expenses and a flat learning curve. The aim of this clinical pilot study was evaluation of a pneumatic lithotripter (StoneBreaker (TM)) for the treatment of urinary stones as an alternative to laser lithotripsy. Fragmentation of uroliths by pneumatic lithotripsy is achieved by transmission of a pneumatic shock pulse by a semirigid fragmentation probe in contact mode on the stone. Fragmentation energy is provided by a replaceable high pressure carbon dioxide cartridge. For application of the lithotripter probe a rigid endoscope with a straight working channel is required. The StoneBreaker (R) was applied successfully in four of four bitches carrying 16-55 bladder stones up to a maximum diameter of 9 mm. In four of six male dogs weighing at least 7kg and carrying 1-11 urethral stones up to a maximum diameter of 4mm, urethral obstruction could be resolved. Two of six male dogs were presented with deeply impacted urethral stones. Further damage to the urethra using pneumatic shock pulse energy could not be excluded. In these two patients, urethral obstruction was dissolved by laser lithotripsy. Pneumatic lithotripsy using StoneBreaker (TM) showed promise as a low cost, effective, safe and easy to learn procedere. Further application in clinical cases will show to what extent this method may replace laser lithotripsy in the canine urinary tract.

This case report presents the case of a right scrotal pyocele in a 6-year-old male West Highland White Terrier. Scrotal pyoceles are purulent fluid collections within the tunica vaginalis of the testis. In the present case, the collection of purulent fluid arose from an infection ascending within the epididymal duct and then penetrating the mesothelial lining of the tunica vaginalis. Upon clinical examination, an acute and painful swelling of the scrotum was noted, accompanied by obvious induration of the scrotal skin. Surgical exploration of the right scrotal sac revealed the diagnosis, which was later confirmed by histopathological examination. Microbiological investigation of the pyocele fluid and of an aspirate sample from a prostatic cavity that was also present in this dog, revealed the presence of E. coli in both samples. Successful resolution was achieved by castration, scrotal ablation, prostatic omentalisation and the administration of marbofloxacin.