To describe a suture-free ureterovesical anastomosis using a microvascular anastomotic system (MAS) and compare the surgical time and bursting pressure to a sutured ureterovesical anastomosis (SA) with and without an extravesical seromuscular tunnel (EVSMT).Randomized, unblocked design, ex vivo study.Three canine cadavers.For each cadaver, the ureters were sectioned into 3 equal lengths. The 6 sections were randomly assigned to receive either the MAS or end-side SA. The first cadaver (3 MAS, 3 SA) was used to refine the technique, and the remaining 2 cadavers were used for evaluation. Surgical time and bursting pressure of the anastomosis were compared between MAS and SA (n = 6 per technique). After bursting pressure testing of each anastomosis, an SMT was created over the anastomoses. Bursting pressures were again recorded and compared across techniques.The surgery time was significantly shorter for MAS (median 5.4 minutes) than SA (median 15.8 minutes; P = .002). The bursting pressure was significantly higher for MAS (median 189.5 cmH2 O) than SA (median 64 cmH2 O; P = .002). The bursting pressure for MAS-EVSMT (median 398.5 cmH2 O) was not significantly different from the SA-EVSMT (median 321 cmH2 O, P = .567); however, the creation of an SMT significantly increased the bursting pressure for both techniques (P = .028, respectively).This study demonstrated the feasibility of a suture-free ureterovesical anastomosis in the canine cadaver using a commercially available MAS. The MAS anastomosis was faster and resulted in higher bursting pressures than SA. The creation of an SMT improved the bursting resistance of both techniques but there was no difference between the techniques covered by an EVSMT.
Objective— To determine whether breed, sex, country of origin, and age are associated with anatomic location of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IHPSS) in dogs. Study Design— Multi‐institutional retrospective case series. Sample Population— Dogs (n=125) with IHPSS from the veterinary teaching hospitals of the University of Florida (21), Sydney University (44), and the University of California—Davis (60). Methods— Dogs with surgical/necropsy confirmation of single IHPSS were identified. Data were analyzed using logistic regression for associations between age, breed, sex, and country with the anatomic location of IHPSS. Results— Right (34%), left (34%), and central divisional IHPSS (32%) were prevalent with approximately equal frequency in Australia; in the United States, the prevalence of right (24%) and central divisional (26%) combined was similar to left divisional IHPSS (51%). Country ( P =048), sex ( P =.016), and Australian cattle dog ([ACD], P =.025) were significantly associated with IHPSS location. Dogs in Australia had 2.5‐fold higher odds of having right versus left divisional IHPSS. Males and ACD had 2.8‐ and 5.6‐fold higher odds of having right versus left divisional IHPSS. Australian dogs were significantly older than those in the United States ( P <.0001) and ACD were significantly older than other breeds ( P =.0067). Conclusions— Although country of origin, breed, and sex had significant associations with anatomic location of IHPSS, signalment does not appear to be a strong predictor of shunt location when used alone. Clinical Relevance— For the common breeds in this report, signalment is only occasionally helpful in predicting likelihood of anatomic division in IHPSS. Australian cattle dogs and male dogs have a statistical association with right (versus left) divisional IHPSS. If advanced imaging techniques are not available, veterinary surgeons should be prepared to locate and address any anatomic configuration of IHPSS in a dog.
Abstract Objective —To determine outcome of medical and surgical treatment in cats with ureteral calculi. Design —Retrospective study. Animals —153 cats. Procedure —Medical records were reviewed. Owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up information. Results —All cats were initially treated medically before a decision was made to perform surgery. Medical treatment included parenteral administration of fluids and diuretics to promote urine production and passage of the ureteral calculus and supportive treatment for renal failure. Ureteral calculi in the proximal portion of the ureter were typically removed by ureterotomy, whereas ureteral calculi in the distal portion of the ureter were more likely to be removed by partial ureterectomy and ureteroneocystostomy. Ureterotomy could be performed without placement of a nephrostomy tube for postoperative urine diversion. Postoperative complication rate and perioperative mortality rate were 31% and 18%, respectively. The most common postoperative complications were urine leakage and persistent ureteral obstruction after surgery. Chronic renal failure was common at the time of diagnosis and continued after treatment, with serum creatinine concentration remaining greater than the upper reference limit in approximately half the cats. Twelve-month survival rates after medical and surgical treatment were 66% and 91%, respectively, with a number of cats dying of causes related to urinary tract disorders, including ureteral calculus recurrence and worsening of chronic renal failure. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Results suggest that medical and surgical management of ureteral calculi in cats are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Treatment can stabilize renal function, although many surviving cats will continue to have impaired renal function. ( J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;226:937–944)
Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that plays an important role in glucose homeostasis and food intake. In people, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are commonly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity; however, non-adherence to injectable medications is common. OKV-119 is an investigational drug delivery system intended for subdermal implantation and delivery of the GLP-1RA exenatide for up to 6 months. Hypothesis/Objectives: Develop protocols for the subcutaneous (SC) insertion and removal of OKV-119 and to evaluate its tolerability, in vivo drug-releasing characteristics, and weight-loss effects in cats. Animals: Two cadaveric and 19 purpose-bred cats. Methods: In cadavers, OKV-119 insertion protocol and imaging were performed at three SC locations. The safety and tolerability of OKV-119 implants were assessed in a small ( n = 4 cats) 62-day study. Weekly plasma exenatide concentrations and body weight were measured in a 42-day proof-of-concept study designed to evaluate OKV-119 prototypes implanted in cats ( n = 15). Results: In anesthetized cats, the duration of insertion and removal procedures was 1–2 min. OKV-119 was easily identified on radiographs, and well-tolerated without any apparent implant site reactions. Following implantation, exanatide plasma concentrations were observed for up to 35 days. Plasma exenatide concentrations were correlated to weight loss. Conclusion and clinical importance: Our findings suggest that OKV-119 could be easily inserted and removed during a routine clinic visit and can be used to safely and effectively deliver exenatide. Future studies of OKV-119, configured to release exenatide for a longer extended months-long duration, are warranted to determine whether the combination of metabolic improvements and beneficial weight-loss, coupled with minimal impact on pet-owner's lifestyle, lead to improved outcomes for obese cats and feline DM patients.
Bilirubin has been recognized as a powerful cytoprotectant when used at physiologic doses and was recently shown to have immunomodulatory effects in islet allograft transplantation, conveying donor-specific tolerance in a murine model. We hypothesized that bilirubin, an antioxidant, acts to suppress the innate immune response to islet allografts through two mechanisms: 1) by suppressing graft release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and inflammatory cytokines, and 2) by producing a tolerogenic phenotype in antigen-presenting cells. Bilirubin was administered intraperitoneally before pancreatic procurement or was added to culture media after islet isolation in AJ mice. Islets were exposed to transplant-associated nutrient deprivation and hypoxia. Bilirubin significantly decreased islet cell death after isolation and hypoxic stress. Bilirubin supplementation of islet media also decreased the release of DAMPs (HMGB1), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), and chemokines (MCP-1). Cytoprotection was mediated by the antioxidant effects of bilirubin. Treatment of macrophages with bilirubin induced a regulatory phenotype, with increased expression of PD-L1. Coculture of these macrophages with splenocytes led to expansion of Foxp3+ Tregs. In conclusion, exogenous bilirubin supplementation showed cytoprotective and antioxidant effects in a relevant model of islet isolation and hypoxic stress. Suppression of DAMP release, alterations in cytokine profiles, and tolerogenic effects on macrophages suggest that the use of this natural antioxidant may provide a method of preconditioning to improve outcomes after allograft transplantation.
A 1.5-year-old male neutered, 5 kg, Dachshund was referred for anorexia and vomiting for several days' duration. Radiographs revealed concern for a small intestinal obstruction. Ultrasonography revealed a severely distended segment of jejunum containing echogenic fluid that abruptly narrowed, twisted, and transitioned into normal jejunum, along with the presence of a distinct "whirl sign" that resulted from the intestinal segments twisting around themselves. This, in addition to the absence of flow on power Doppler interrogation, was compatible with a focal jejunal torsion-volvulus. The torsion-volvulus was surgically confirmed, a resection and anastomosis was performed, and the dog recovered uneventfully.
To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi.Retrospective study.163 client-owned cats.Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, history, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging was obtained.The number of cats in which ureterolithiasis was diagnosed each year increased progressively during the study period. Clinical signs tended to be non-specific and included inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, and weight loss. A combination of survey radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed ureteral calculi in 66 of 73 (90%) cats in which the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery or necropsy. Ultrasonography revealed that ureteral calculi were causing ureteral obstruction in 143 of 155 (92%) cats. One hundred thirty-four of 162 (83%) cats had azotemia, 84 of 156 (54%) had hyperphosphatemia, and 22 of 152 (14%) had hypercalcemia. Urinary tract infection was documented in 10 of 119 (8%). Fifty-eight of 76 (76%) cats with unilateral ureterolithiasis had azotemia and 33 (43%) had hyperphosphatemia, indicating impairment of renal function in the contralateral kidney or prerenal azotemia. Ultrasonographic imaging of the contralateral kidney in cats with unilateral ureteral calculi suggested that preexisting renal parenchymal disease was common in cats with ureterolithiasis. Ninety-one of 93 (98%) ureteral calculi contained calcium oxalate.Results suggest that abdominal imaging should be performed in all cats with chronic nonspecific signs or with acute or chronic renal failure to rule out ureterolithiasis. Preexisting renal disease may be common in cats with ureteral calculi.
