Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antimicrobial agents are used extensively in human and veterinary medicine. Widespread use of any antimicrobial agent can apply selective pressure on populations of bacteria, which may result in an increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant isolates. Antimicrobial-susceptibility data on bacteria isolated from the canine urinary tract by the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Columbia, MO, were used to determine whether there has been an increase in the prevalence of FQ-resistant bacteria over time. Between January 1992 and December 2001, minimum inhibitory concentrations of either ciprofloxacin (1992-1998) or enrofloxacin (1998-2001) were determined for 1,478 bacterial isolates from the canine urinary tract. The predominant bacterial species isolated were Escherichia coli (547 isolates), Proteus mirabilis (156), and Staphylococcus intermedius (147). In all, there were 13 bacterial species with more than 25 isolates each. A significant increase in the overall proportion of resistant bacterial isolates was documented from 1992 to 2001 (Cochran-Armitage test for trend, P < 0.0001). The same increase in resistant isolates was documented when either ciprofloxacin or enrofloxacin was analyzed separately (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0002, respectively). No difference was detected in rates of bacterial FQ resistance with regard to the sex of the dog from which the bacteria were isolated. The frequency with which some bacterial species were isolated differed with the sex of the infected dog. Proteus mirabilis was found more often in females (P < 0.0001), whereas beta hemolytic Streptococcus spp., were found more often in males (P = 0.0003). Although the overall efficacy of FQ antimicrobials remained high with greater than 80% of isolates being susceptible, the data demonstrated an increase in the proportion of resistant bacteria isolated from the urinary tract of the dog.

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Blood transfusions are commonly administered to cats; associated risks include the transmission of various infectious diseases including Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (Mhm). Blood transfusions in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) solution are commonly administered immediately or stored for up to 1 month prior to administration. It is unknown whether Mhf or Mhm survive in this solution or temperature. The purpose of this study was to determine if Mhf or Mhm remain viable after storage in CPDA-1 for varying periods of time. The results provide evidence that transmission of hemoplasmas to naïve cats occurs after administration of infected feline blood that has been stored in CPDA-1 solution for 1h (Mhf) and 1 week (Mhm). These findings support the recommendation that cats used as blood donors be screened for Mhf and Mhm infections by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay prior to use.

Persistent microalbuminuria has been shown to be an indicator of glomerular damage associated with early progressive renal disease in people and dogs. In people, transient or reversible microalbuminuria has been shown to occur with exercise. A semi-quantitative test to measure microalbuminuria in the dog recently has become available. The purpose of this study was to determine if mild-to-moderate exercise induced microalbuminuria in the dog. Twenty-six dogs were included in the study after undergoing tests to rule out hyperglycemia, urinary tract infection, azotemia, and a urine protein:creatinine ratio >1. Exercise consisted of 20 minutes of flat treadmill running. Urine samples were collected on 2 separate days before exercise, the morning of exercise, 3 hours postexercise, 7-9 hours postexercise, and each of the 2 mornings after exercise. For 24 of 26 dogs, this procedure was repeated after a minimum 7-day interval between exercise sessions. The canine E.R.D. (early renal disease)-Screen Urine Test (E.R.D.-Screen test) was used to determine semiquantitative urine albumin concentrations. Microalbuminuria-positive samples, as determined by the E.R.D.-Screen test, were further analyzed to determine quantitative albumin concentrations. Four (15%) dogs were microalbuminuria positive. In each of these dogs, microalbuminuria was present both before and after exercise with no quantitative increase in urine albumin concentration postexercise. Twenty-two (85%) dogs were microalbuminuria negative throughout the study and did not develop microalbuminuria at any time after exercise. On a 95% confidence interval, the proportion of dogs that might be expected to develop microalbuminuria after exercise is between 0 and 15%.

Persistent microalbuminuria has been shown to be an indicator of glomerular damage associated with early progressive renal disease in people and dogs. In people, transient or reversible microalbuminuria has been shown to occur with exercise. A semi-quantitative test to measure microalbuminuria in the dog recently has become available. The purpose of this study was to determine if mild-to-moderate exercise induced microalbuminuria in the dog. Twenty-six dogs were included in the study after undergoing tests to rule out hyperglycemia, urinary tract infection, azotemia, and a urine protein:creatinine ratio >1. Exercise consisted of 20 minutes of flat treadmill running. Urine samples were collected on 2 separate days before exercise, the morning of exercise, 3 hours postexercise, 7-9 hours postexercise, and each of the 2 mornings after exercise. For 24 of 26 dogs, this procedure was repeated after a minimum 7-day interval between exercise sessions. The canine E.R.D. (early renal disease)-Screen Urine Test (E.R.D.-Screen test) was used to determine semiquantitative urine albumin concentrations. Microalbuminuria-positive samples, as determined by the E.R.D.-Screen test, were further analyzed to determine quantitative albumin concentrations. Four (15%) dogs were microalbuminuria positive. In each of these dogs, microalbuminuria was present both before and after exercise with no quantitative increase in urine albumin concentration postexercise. Twenty-two (85%) dogs were microalbuminuria negative throughout the study and did not develop microalbuminuria at any time after exercise. On a 95% confidence interval, the proportion of dogs that might be expected to develop microalbuminuria after exercise is between 0 and 15%.