Total serum bilirubin (TBIL) is used as a prognostic factor in chronic hepatitis (CH) in human beings. To date, the authors are unaware of any studies looking at the value of TBIL as a prognostic factor in idiopathic canine CH. The objective of the current study was to assess if TBIL is a negative prognostic factor in idiopathic canine CH, and to identify other prognostic factors. Thirty-nine dogs with histologically confirmed idiopathic CH admitted to 2 referral centers between 1999 and 2010 were included in the study. Patients with concurrent diseases that could affect TBIL or the survival time were excluded. Total serum bilirubin was measured prior to liver biopsy, and CH was diagnosed according to standardized histological criteria. Survival time was calculated from time of diagnosis to time of death or euthanasia. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors. The mean survival time for the 39 dogs included in the analysis was 197 days (1-2,677), and the mean total serum bilirubin was 11 μmol/l (2-265). Total serum bilirubin was statistically significantly associated with survival (odds ratio = 1.082, P = 0.047) as were weight (odds ratio = 1.028, P = 0.028) and the presence of ascites (odds ratio = 6.758, P = 0.013). The current study demonstrates that TBIL could be used as an additional prognostic factor in canine CH.

A 4-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of gradual onset of lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination revealed moderate abdominal distension. Investigations performed included complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, pyelocentesis, abdominal fluid analysis, abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory celiotomy. Nephrectomy was performed on the hydronephrotic kidney and a sample of the omentum was also taken, as it was grossly abnormal. No other abnormalities were found in the remainder of the abdominal organs. Findings were consistent with unilateral hydronephrosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis with abdominal carcinomatosis. The patient was given supportive treatment while the results of the biopsies from the renal tissue and the omentum were pending. The patient deteriorated a short time after surgical intervention and was euthanased. This is the first report of a squamous cell carcinoma arising from the renal pelvis in a cat. A comparison with the disease presentation in humans is also discussed.

Objectives To characterise and document the progression of idiopathic renal haematuria in a large cohort of medically managed UK dogs. Materials and Methods Retrospective study of 41 client‐owned dogs with confirmed (n=14), or suspected (n=27) idiopathic renal haematuria from 4 UK‐based referral centres. Clinical findings and outcomes of dogs (2001 to 2018) were determined from the review of medical records and telephone follow‐up. Results Median survival time from diagnosis was long [1482 (152 to 1825) days] irrespective of treatment and clinical response. Only 1 case was euthanased due to idiopathic renal haematuria, and anaemia or azotaemia occurred infrequently. In total, 25 dogs received angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy, of which 23 received benazepril [0.44 (0.19 to 0.82) mg/kg/24 hours], two received enalapril (0.40 and 0.78 mg/kg/24 hours) and one received telmisartan (1 mg/kg/24 hours). In cases with follow‐up urinalyses, complete resolution of haematuria was documented in eight of 19 (42%) dogs following angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker treatment, with partial improvement in five of 19 (26%) and no improvement in six of 19 (31%). Conversely, of the two untreated dogs where outcome was available, one had partial improvement and the other had no improvement. Clinical Significance In this study, idiopathic renal haematuria was associated with a good prognosis and low complication rate. Resolution or improvement in haematuria occurred in both angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker‐treated and untreated dogs, indicating that further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these interventions.

A four-year-old female entire Weimaraner, recently diagnosed with epilepsy, was referred with a three-week history of coughing and lethargy. The dog had been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia on thoracic radiographs, but the cough continued despite antibiotic therapy and an apparent improvement in the radiographic lung changes. CT of the thorax revealed a diffuse and severe nodular thickening of the tracheal wall. Tracheoscopy showed a thickened and irregular mucosa with multiple nodules causing segmental stenosis of the trachea. Histopathology of the nodular tracheal mucosa demonstrated severe, multifocal to diffuse neutrophilic inflammation. Once infectious and neoplastic causes were excluded, the dog was diagnosed with an inflammatory tracheitis of unknown aetiology. A tapering course of glucocorticoids was prescribed, which led to a complete clinical and endoscopic resolution of the coughing and tracheal lesions, respectively.

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a common laboratory abnormality in dogs, and numerous diseases have been associated with its development. Estimates for the sensitivity and specificity of the degree of reduction of platelet concentration for the diagnosis of primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (pITP) have not been reported. Objectives:To report the prevalence of different causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs in the United Kingdom and to investigate the utility of platelet concentration to differentiate causes of thrombocytopenia.Methods: Medical records of 762 dogs with thrombocytopenia presented to seven referral hospitals from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were assigned into the following categories: pITP, infectious diseases, neoplasia, inflammatory/other immune-mediated disorders and miscellaneous causes.The prevalence of the different categories was estimated, and platelet concentrations were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to investigate the utility of platelet concentration to differentiate between causes of thrombocytopenia. Results:The most common disease category associated with thrombocytopenia was neoplasia (27.3%), followed by miscellaneous causes (26.9%), pITP (18.8%), inflammatory/immune-mediated disorders (14.4%) and infectious diseases (12.6%). Dogs with pITP had significantly lower platelet concentrations (median 8 × 10 9 /L, range: 0-70 × 10 9 /L) than dogs in the other four categories. Platelet concentration was useful for distinguishing pITP from other causes of thrombocytopenia (area under ROC curve = 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.87, 0.92), with a platelet concentration ≤12 × 10 9 /L being 60% sensitive and 90% specific.