Background Urethral obstruction (UO) has a negative effect on welfare of cats. Objectives This study aimed to determine incidence, case management, and outcomes of UO in cats in primary‐care practice in the United Kingdom. Animals All male cats under veterinary care within the VetCompass database in 2016. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed. The electronic records of all male cats with a clinical note during the study period were searched for UO cases and were manually reviewed for inclusion. Additional demographic and clinical information were extracted on cases. Results From the study cohort of 237 825 male cats, there were 1293 incident cases. The estimated UO incidence risk during 2016 was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.51‐0.57). Demographic and clinical data were available for 1108 cases. Antibiotics were administered to 641/1108 (57.9%) cases. Overall repeat catheterization rate was 253/854 (29.6%). Repeat catheterization at 48 hours was less frequent in patients with indwelling catheters (10.1%) vs those that had a catheter placed and then immediately removed (14.8%; P = .04). Death during a UO episode was 329/1108 (29.6%), and 285/329 (88.0%) deaths involved euthanasia. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Antibiotics were commonly prescribed in cats for treatment of UO despite minimal evidence in the clinical records of bacterial cystitis. Repeat catheterization was common and case fatality rate during a UO episode was high. Repeat catheterization within 48 hours of elective removal of a urethral catheter was less common in cats that had previously had indwelling catheters. The majority of cats requiring repeat catheterization survived until the end of the study.

This case report details the clinical investigation of an 11‐month‐old, entire, male Cockapoo, who presented with acute left forebrain signs associated with suspected intra‐cranial haemorrhage due to Angiostrongylus vasorum. Initial investigations failed to identify a coagulopathy using traditional coagulation testing. Subsequent viscoelastic testing using the Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor (VCM Vet, Entegrion) identified a hypocoagulable, hyperfibrinolytic trace. Anti‐fibrinolytic treatment with tranexamic acid showed improvement of hypocoagulability and normalisation of hyperfibrinolysis. Subsequent canine fresh frozen plasma transfusion and treatment of the underlying A. vasorum led to resolution of the patient's coagulopathy. This case report demonstrates the ease of use and utility of viscoelastic monitoring in global assessment of coagulation, and is the first case to document hyperfibrinolysis using the VCM Vet in a patient with Angiostrongylus vasorum.

Hypertensive emergency is well recognised in human medicine, yet there is limited veterinary evidence. This study aimed to determine the presentation, treatment and outcome in dogs and cats with hypertensive emergency. Materials and MethOds:A retrospective case series of dogs and cats with hypertensive emergency identified as follows: acute history with non-invasive Doppler systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg and target organ damage including acute onset seizures, altered mentation with or without lateral recumbency or blindness. Data collected included signalment, history, physical examination and clinicopathological findings, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment and outcome.results: Seven dogs and eight cats were included presenting with seizures (n=9), blindness (n=4), altered mentation with (n=2) or without (n=2) lateral recumbency. Median age was 9 years (range 1 to 15) and duration of clinical signs before presentation was 1.5 days (range 1 to 15). Median systolic blood pressure on presentation was 230 mmHg (range 190 to 300). Amlodipine was the most common first-line agent (n=10), followed by hydralazine (n=4) and hypertonic saline (n=1). Aetiology of hypertensive emergency was acute kidney injury (n=9), idiopathic hypertension (n=3), hyperthyroidism (n=1), lymphoma (n=1) and suspected cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (n=1). Five cats and three dogs survived to discharge with an overall survival of 53.3%. clinical significance: Hypertensive emergencies had various presenting signs in this series. AKI was considered to be the cause of hypertension in the majority of patients. Further evaluation of treatment for hypertensive emergencies is warranted, considering almost half of the cases did not survive to discharge.

Objectives To investigate and discuss current fluid and blood products stocked in small animal practices in the UK. Methods An online survey was circulated to small animal veterinary practices across the UK. The survey included questions regarding the level of hospital care provided, the type of fluid and blood component products stocked, the most frequently restocked products, and the available options in the event that blood products were required but not stocked. Results There were 423 responses including 27 duplicates. The remaining 396 respondents represented a spectrum of practices including 19 referral practices. Crystalloids were stocked in all practices. Lactated Ringer's solution was the most frequently re‐stocked product in 355 of 396 (90%) of practices. Where synthetic colloids were stocked, gelatin‐based colloids (155/178 [87%]) were stocked in preference to hydroxyethyl starches (23/178 [13%]). Blood products were stocked by 81 of 396 (20%) of practices. If a blood product was required but not stocked, 31% of practices would use a pet blood banking service, 28% would use their own blood donors, and 21% would refer. Clinical Significance This study provides an insight into the fluid and blood products stocked and used by a selection of veterinary practices within the UK and serves as a baseline for ongoing research and decision‐making in both veterinary practice and industry.

ObjectivesUreteral obstruction is a common post‐renal cause of azotaemia in cats. The objective of this study was to describe clinicopathological and point‐of‐care ultrasound findings in azotaemic cats that may increase the index of suspicion of ureteral obstruction.Materials and MethodsA retrospective case–control study was conducted of azotaemic cats presenting to the emergency room of a referral teaching hospital. Cats were included if they were azotaemic and had point‐of‐care ultrasound and formal ultrasound performed. Cats were grouped into obstructed and non‐obstructed groups based on formal specialist ultrasound and pyelography. Point‐of‐care ultrasound findings were described, including renal size and symmetry, renal pelvis dilation, perinephric fluid, and visualisation of the proximal ureter or calculi. Univariate analysis was performed to identify historical, biochemical and point‐of‐care ultrasound findings associated with ureteral obstruction before multivariate analysis.ResultsOne hundred twenty‐two azotaemic cats met the inclusion criteria. Seventy‐four cats were included in the obstructed azotaemic group and 48 cats in the non‐obstructed azotaemic groups. Point‐of‐care ultrasound abnormalities were detected in 60 of 74 (81.1%) obstructed cats and 18 of 48 (37.5%) non‐obstructed cats. Renal pelvis dilation (odds ratio 38.8; 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 515), hyporexia (odds ratio 5.9; 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 30.13), hypercalcaemia (odds ratio 16.6; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 223.0) and hypokalaemia (odds ratio 21.7; 1.33 to 354.62) were more likely to be associated with ureteral obstruction than non‐obstructive disease.Clinical SignificancePoint‐of‐care ultrasound abnormalities are documented frequently in azotaemic cats with ureteral obstruction. Cats with renal pelvis dilation were 39 times more likely to have ureteral obstruction than non‐obstructive acute kidney injury.