The increasing proportion of calcium oxalate uroliths was in accordance with findings from other studies and could be a result of alterations in cats' diets. However, the decreased percentage of calcium oxalate calculi and increased percentage of struvite calculi observed in the last 3 years may portend a change in the frequency of this type of urolith.

Lymphangiectasia is one of the causes of protein-losing enteropathy in dogs and characteristic ultrasonographic small intestinal lesions have been previously described. The purpose of this study was to determine whether corn oil administered orally (COAO) would result in increased conspicuity of these characteristic small intestinal ultrasonographic lesions in dogs with lymphangiectasia. Affected dogs were included if they underwent corn oil administered orally and had a surgical full-thickness intestinal biopsy diagnosis of lymphangiectasia. Control dogs had normal clinical examination and standard laboratory test findings. Ultrasound images of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were obtained prior to and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after corn oil administered orally for all dogs. Parameters recorded for each ultrasound study were intestinal wall thickness, mucosal echogenicity, and presence or absence of hyperechoic mucosal striations (HMS) and a parallel hyperechoic mucosal line (PHML). Nine affected and five controls dogs were included in the study. Seven of the nine dogs with lymphangiectasia had hyperechoic mucosal striations prior to corn oil administered orally. Jejunal hyperechoic mucosal striations were significantly associated with lymphangiectasia at multiple time points (P < 0.05) and were best identified in dogs with lymphangiectasia 60 or 90 min after corn oil administered orally. Increased mucosal echogenicity was observed in all dogs at multiple time points after corn oil administered orally. A parallel hyperechoic mucosal line was present in the jejunum in 4/5 healthy and 6/9 dogs with lymphangiectasia at one or more time points after corn oil administered orally. Findings indicated that corn oil administered orally improves conspicuity of characteristic ultrasonographic lesions in dogs with lymphangiectasia, however some of these lesions may also be present in healthy dogs that recently received a fatty meal.

Denervation of CNS neurons and peripheral organs is a consequence of traumatic SCI. Intraspinal transplantation of embryonic CNS neurons is a potential strategy for reinnervating these targets. Neural progenitor cell lines are being investigated as alternates to embryonic CNS neurons. RN33B is an immortalized neural progenitor cell line derived from embryonic rat raphe nuclei following infection with a retrovirus encoding the temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40 large T-antigen. Transplantation studies have shown that local epigenetic signals in intact or partially neuron-depleted adult rat hippocampal formation or striatum direct RN33B cell differentiation to complex multipolar morphologies resembling endogenous neurons. After transplantation into neuron-depleted regions of the hippocampal formation or striatum, RN33B cells were relatively undifferentiated or differentiated with bipolar morphologies. The present study examines RN33B cell differentiation after transplantation into normal spinal cord and under different lesion conditions. Adult rats underwent either unilateral lesion of lumbar spinal neurons by intraspinal injection of kainic acid or complete transection at the T10 spinal segment. Neonatal rats underwent either unilateral lesion of lumbar motoneurons by sciatic nerve crush or complete transection at the T10 segment. At 2 or 6-7 wk postinjury, lacZ-labeled RN33B cells were transplanted into the lumbar enlargement of injured and age-matched normal rats. At 2 wk posttransplantation, bipolar and some multipolar RN33B cells were found throughout normal rat gray matter. In contrast, only bipolar RN33B cells were seen in gray matter of kainic acid lesioned, sciatic nerve crush, or transection rats. These observations suggest that RN33B cell multipolar morphological differentiation in normal adult spinal cord is mediated by direct cell-cell interaction through surface molecules on endogenous neurons and may be suppressed by molecules released after SCI. They also indicate that the fate of immortalized neural progenitor cell lines in injured CNS must be stringently characterized.

for evaluation of a 2-month history of a cough, lethargy, and progressive inappetence. The cough was occasionally productive and occurred multiple times a day. Results of routine CBC and blood chemistry tests performed by the referring veterinarian were unremark-able, and thoracic radiographs revealed right cranial lung lobe consolidation and hilar lymphadenopathy. The dog was treated with amoxicillin (25 mg/kg PO q8h), without improvement. The dog also had a history of urinary tract infections that had been treated intermittently with enrofloxacin. One year before presentation , the dog had been acquired from a rescue organization, which, in turn, had acquired the dog from a pet store in northern California. Other pets in the current household were 29 parakeets. On examination, the dog was alert, hyperthermic (103.2uF [39.6uC]), panting, and had a body condition score of 8 of 9. Abnormalities of cardiac rate or rhythm were not detected. Thoracic auscultation revealed harsh lung sounds bilaterally. Thoracic radiographs revealed right cranial lung lobe consolidation, with interstitial to alveolar infiltrates in the right middle lung lobe. A lobular soft-tissue opacity was noted dorsal to the carina on the right lateral projection that was thought to represent hilar lymphadenopathy or a juxtahilar mass. An abdominal ultrasound examination disclosed no abnormalities. Serology for Coccidioides antibodies was negative. Cytologic analysis of fine needle aspirates from the consolidated lung tissue revealed mild inflammation that consisted of activated macrophages, nondegenerate neutrophils, and small mature lymphocytes. Several small clusters of cuboidal epithelial cells were observed, with high nuclear : cytoplasmic ratios and variably distinct borders, some of which were suggestive of an adenocarcinoma. A small amount of pink, fibrillar material was noted, consistent with collagen. There was also a small amount of mucinous material, mineralized debris, and cholesterol crystals suggestive of necrosis. The owner declined further diagnostic testing. Treatment with clavulanic-acid amoxicillin a (25 mg/ kg PO q12h), enrofloxacin b (3.4 mg/kg PO q12h), and piroxicam c (0.25 mg/kg PO q24h) for 4 weeks resulted in improvement in the dog's appetite and cough, but, on discontinuation of this therapy, the inappetence, cough, and lethargy returned. Physical examination 7 weeks after initial presentation disclosed mild weight loss (body weight, 36.2 kg). Thoracic radiographs showed extension of the right cranial lung lobe consolidation and persistent hilar lymphadenopathy. The previous treatment was reinstituted, and the dog's condition again improved. Eight months after initial examination, thoracic radiographs were unchanged. Urine culture for aerobic bacteria revealed Escherichia coli that was resistant to enrofloxacin and clavulanic acid-amoxicillin. Antimi-crobial therapy was changed to chloramphenicol d (38 mg/kg PO q8h), which was discontinued after 2 weeks because the dog was vomiting. Because the coughing worsened, the o...

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