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IntroductionPrediction of renal recovery after surgical management of feline unilateral ureteral obstruction (UO) is crucial to guide therapeutic decisions, but predictors of this outcome are still lacking. Despite the functional importance of the contralateral kidney, there is currently no precise description of its ultrasonographic (US) features. In addition, US parameters of both the renal collecting system and the renal parenchyma have been identified in human medicine as prognostic factors in the case of UO but have not been described in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between preoperative structural US renal parameters and long-term International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage after successful renal decompression with subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device in cats with unilateral UO.MethodsThis retrospective study included 60 cats with unilateral UO and evaluated preoperative US parameters of both kidneys, including measurements of parenchymal and pelvic areas as well as a renal score. Cats were divided according to their serum creatinine at 3 months postoperatively into group A (IRIS stages I and II) and group B (IRIS stages III and IV).ResultsA higher US chronic kidney disease (US-CKD) score of the kidney contralateral to the UO was associated with long-term IRIS stages III and IV. It also appeared as a fair discriminator of long-term IRIS stage IV, with an area under the curve of 0.74. The optimal cutoff value for accurately identifying cats with long-term IRIS stage IV was a US-CKD score > 7, with a specificity of 98%, a sensitivity of 25%, and a positive likelihood ratio of 12.75. No preoperative US parameters regarding the obstructed kidney, including parenchymal and pelvic areas, were significantly associated with long-term creatinine.ConclusionUltrasonographic scoring of contralateral chronic kidney disease abnormalities is associated with IRIS stage following treatment of feline unilateral UO with a SUB device and serves as a specific indicator of cats presenting with long-term IRIS stage IV.

Abstract Background Nine male and eight female calves born to a Normande artificial insemination bull named “Ly” were referred to the French National Observatory of Bovine Abnormalities for multiple fractures, shortened gestation, and stillbirth or perinatal mortality. Results Using Illumina BovineSNP50 array genotypes from affected calves and 84 half-sib controls, the associated locus was mapped to a 6.5-Mb interval on chromosome 19, assuming autosomal inheritance with germline mosaicism. Subsequent comparison of the whole-genome sequences of one case and 5116 control genomes, followed by genotyping in the affected pedigree, identified a de novo missense substitution within the NC1 domain of the COL1A1 gene (Chr19 g.36,473,965G > A; p.D1412N) as unique candidate variant. Interestingly, the affected residue was completely conserved among 243 vertebrate orthologs, and the same substitution in humans has been reported to cause type II osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a connective tissue disorder that is characterized primarily by bone deformity and fragility. Moreover, three COL1A1 mutations have been described to cause the same syndrome in cattle. Necropsy, computed tomography, radiology, and histology confirmed the diagnosis of type II OI, further supporting the causality of this variant. In addition, a detailed analysis of gestation length and perinatal mortality in 1387 offspring of Ly and more than 160,000 progeny of 63 control bulls allowed us to statistically confirm in a large pedigree the association between type II OI and preterm delivery, which is probably due to premature rupture of fetal membranes and has been reported in several isolated cases of type II OI in humans and cattle. Finally, analysis of perinatal mortality rates and segregation distortion supported a low level of germ cell mosaicism in Ly, with an estimate of 4.5% to 7.7% of mutant sperm and thus 63 to 107 affected calves born. These numbers contrast with the 17 cases reported and raise concerns about the underreporting of congenital defects to heredo-surveillance platforms, even for textbook genetic syndromes. Conclusions In conclusion, we describe a large animal model for a recurrent substitution in COL1A1 that is responsible for type II OI in humans. More generally, this study highlights the utility of such datasets and large half-sib families available in livestock species to characterize sporadic genetic defects.

Abstract A 3‐year‐old female German Shepherd dog was presented with generalized tonic‐clonic epileptic seizures, right‐sided central vestibular syndrome, and right trigeminal nerve dysfunction. Acute lacunar ischemic strokes within both thalami, right side of the mesencephalon, left side of the myelencephalon, both sides of the cervical spinal cord, and acute hemorrhagic strokes within the rostral part of the right cerebellar hemisphere and right rostral colliculus were identified on magnetic resonance imaging. Additional evaluation identified multiple renal infarcts and complete splenic torsion, with entrapment of the left pancreatic lobe. Medical management, splenectomy, partial pancreatectomy, and intensive physical rehabilitation led to clinical improvement. The histology of the spleen was consistent with hemorrhagic infarction. Three months after onset, neurological examination identified only mild vestibular sequelae. The final diagnosis was multiple ischemic strokes secondary to primary splenic torsion. Spontaneous early hemorrhagic transformation, a well‐known condition in human medicine, also was found in this case.

Abstract Background Lobar emphysema in dogs and cats is caused by bronchial collapse during expiration and subsequent air trapping. Congenital causes such as bronchial cartilage defects or acquired causes such as compressive neoplastic lesions have been reported. Morbidity results from hyperinflation of the affected lung lobe and compression of adjacent thoracic structures. Objective To describe patient characteristics and imaging findings in dogs and cats with lobar emphysema. Animals Fourteen dogs and 3 cats with lobar emphysema diagnosed by imaging findings were retrospectively identified from veterinary referral hospital populations over a 10‐year period. Methods Cases that included thoracic radiography, thoracic computed tomography (CT), or both were included. All images were reviewed by a European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging diplomate. Relevant case information included signalment, clinical findings, treatment, and histopathology where available. Results Ten of 17 (59%) patients were presented for evaluation of dyspnea and 6 (35%) for coughing. Eleven (65%) patients were

This report provides the first clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic, and biological description of SARS-CoV-2-associated myocarditis with a 6-month follow-up in a 5-year-old obese male domestic shorthair cat (Cat-1) presented for refractory congestive heart failure, with high cardiac troponin-I level (5.24 ng/ml), and a large lingual ulcer. The animal was SARS-CoV-2 positive on serology. The other cat living in the same household (Cat-2) never showed any clinical sign but was also confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive on serology. Both cats were SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative. Cat-1 had closer contact than Cat-2 with their owner, who had been in close contact with a coworker tested PCR positive for COVID-19 (Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant) 4 weeks before Cat-1's first episode of congestive heart failure. A focused point-of-care echocardiography at presentation revealed for Cat-1 numerous B-lines, pleural effusion, severe left atrial dilation and dysfunction, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype associated with focal pulmonary consolidations. Both myocarditis and pneumonia were suspected, leading to the prescription of cardiac medications and antibiotics. One month later, Cat-1 recovered, with normalization of left atrial size and function, and radiographic and echocardiography disappearance of heart failure signs and pulmonary lesions. An extensive literature review of SARS-CoV-2-related cardiac injury in pets in comparison with human pathology is discussed.

Abstract Background Percutaneous ultrasound (US)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of adrenal gland lesions is controversial in veterinary medicine. Objective To evaluate the frequency and radiologists' perception of the risk of the procedure as well as determining the incidence of complications. Methods Retrospective study. A first survey was submitted by e‐mail to all board‐certified radiologists of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI). A second survey was sent to radiologists who declared having performed the procedure at least once in their career (observational cross‐sectional case study). Results The first survey was sent to 977 diplomates and answered by 138. Of 138 diplomates, 40 currently performed the procedure and 98 did not; 44 of the 98 gave the hypertensive crisis risk in pheochromocytoma as a reason. To the second survey, 12 of 65 responded positively; 50 dogs with 58 lesions were recruited, including 23 pheochromocytomas. Complications were reported in 4 of 50 dogs; 3 hemorrhages (1 mild and 1 moderate) and 1 death from acute respiratory distress syndrome (possibly related to laryngeal paralysis). No hypertensive crisis was reported. There was no relationship between the method of FNA/type of needle used and occurrence of complications. Based on the recollection of these 65 radiologists, who performed approximately 200 FNA of adrenal lesions, a death rate of approximately 1% was estimated. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Percutaneous US‐guided FNA of adrenal lesions can be considered a minimally risky procedure, despite the negative perception by radiologists.

Case summary A 2-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital with a 2 week history of altered mentation, blindness and focal epileptic seizures. MRI examination revealed generalised cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, diffuse T2-weighted hyperintensity of the white matter and meningeal thickening. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis was confirmed on post-mortem examination. Relevance and novel information This is the first report of the MRI findings of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a cat.

Case summary A 7-year-old neutered male Persian cat was presented for acute vomiting and inappetence. Physical examination revealed severe abdominal distension. Radiographs demonstrated pneumoperitoneum, megaoesophagus and generalised gaseous distension of the digestive tract. Exploratory coeliotomy was performed, revealing markedly distended and thickened small and large intestines with no observable peristalsis. No intestinal perforation was present. Bacteriological and cytological analysis of abdominal fluid revealed a septic peritonitis involving Pasteurella multocida . Full-thickness intestinal biopsies demonstrated lymphocytic ganglioneuritis localised to the enteric nervous system, in association with glandular atrophy and muscular layer hypertrophy. Amoxicillin-clavulanate and analgesics were given. The cat’s general condition gradually improved after the addition of pyridostigmine bromide (0.5 mg/kg q12h PO), initiated 3 days postsurgery. Vomiting resolved and did not recur. Follow-up radiographs at 15 days, and 1 and 6 months showed persistent intestinal ileus, milder than on the pretreatment radiographs. Thirty months after presentation the cat is still alive, without clinical signs, and receives 1 mg/kg q12h pyridostigmine. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this is the first case of ganglioneuritis of the myenteric plexus described in cats, as well as the first one successfully treated with pyridostigmine. Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a very rare condition in cats but should be included in the differential diagnosis of generalised gastrointestinal ileus.

Abstract Background The diagnosis of pyelonephritis in cats is challenging and development of a noninvasive and accurate biomarker is needed. Hypotheses Serum amyloid A (SAA) is increased in cats with pyelonephritis, but not in cats with other urinary tract diseases. Animals A cohort of 125 cats (149 observations). Methods This was a prospective study. Group 1 included cats with a diagnosis of pyelonephritis either confirmed by bacterial culture of pelvic urine (Group 1a) or presumed (1b). Group 2 included cats for which pyelonephritis was ruled out (with certainty: Group 2a or judged unlikely: Group 2b). SAA concentration was compared between groups, and accuracy of SAA for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis was calculated using a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results Median SAA concentration was significantly higher in Group 1a (86.8 mg/L [73.3; 161.5]; n = 8) than in Group 2a (4 mg/L [1.8; 5.6], n = 19; P

Congenital diseases of the large intestine of dogs and cats have scarcely been reported and mostly include fistula, atresia or colonic duplication. Cases of partial colonic agenesis have rarely been described. The purpose of this study was to report a cohort of dogs and cats diagnosed with partial colonic agenesis. The colon was measured during colonoscopy or contrast-radiography and compared to the average length described in the literature. Six dogs and 17 cats were retrospectively included. Depending on the case, partial colonic agenesis could represent an incidental finding or the likeliest cause of clinical signs. Diarrhea was reported in most cases, and no specific clinical or biological abnormality was observed. Median age of presentation was variable and long asymptomatic periods were common. Abdominal ultrasound was useful and identified a short colon in 14/17 cats but only in one dog. Endoscopy was useful to confirm the diagnosis and to identify associated lesions and complications. Among others, colonic stenosis was reported in 8/9 cases that had lifelong clinical signs and the shortest colon length. This anatomical abnormality could promote chronic inflammation that might generate fibrosis and ultimately stenosis.