Longitudinal evaluation of symmetric dimethylarginine and concordance of kidney biomarkers in cats and dogs.

Vet J. October 2021;276(0):105732.

R M MACK¹, E Hegarty², D J McCrann³, H T Michael⁴, G F Grauer⁵

¹ IDEXX, 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA. Electronic address: rebekah-mack-gertig@idexx.com.; ² IDEXX, 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.; ³ IDEXX, 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.; ⁴ IDEXX, 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.; ⁵ College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, A-111 Mosier Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-5802, USA.

Abstract

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a sensitive surrogate marker for glomerular filtration rate; however, there are uncertainties as to how to interpret mild increases (SDMA 15-19 μg/dL). This descriptive study used retrospective data to evaluate whether cats or dogs that had initial SDMA values (at T0) within the reference interval followed by an increased SDMA (at T1) had persistently increased SDMA (at T2; measured from 14 days to 18 months following T1; Persistence Cohort), and if and when cats or dogs with persistently increased SDMA had increased creatinine up to 24 months (Concordance Cohort). The Persistence Cohort included 16,670 cats and 16,712 dogs. If SDMA at T1 was 15-19 μg/dL, the probability of persistence was 53% for cats and 42% for dogs, while creatinine was concurrently increased in 20% of cats and 18% of dogs. For comparison, if SDMA was not increased at T1 the probability of increased SDMA at recheck was only 20% for cats and 9% for dogs. For cats and dogs with a T1 SDMA of 15-19 μg/dL and with persistent increases at T2, the probability of increased creatinine at T1 was 20% for cats and 18% for dogs, rising to 61% and 55%, respectively, by 24 months. When SDMA at T1 was >25 μg/dL, creatinine was increased in 93% of cats and 92% of dogs by 24 months. Mildly increased SDMA results may provide an opportunity to identify some cats and dogs earlier in their kidney disease.

Keywords

Biomarker; Creatinine; Data study; Kidney disease;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Limb amputation for feline appendicular bone tumors results in excellent recovery outcomes and high owner satisfaction with a low incidence of complications.
Time to return to walking without support was < 3 days in 69.7% of cats and 3 to 7 days in 16.7%. Activity level changes were reported as no change in 75.8% of cats. There were no behavioral changes in 92.3% of cats. Quality of life following amputation was recorded as excellent in 82.4% of cats. Owner satisfaction was reported as very satisfied, moderately satisfied, or satisfied in 98.5% of cats.

Prevalence of Encephalitozoon hellem among companion and exhibition birds in Japan.
Although microsporidia can rarely cause severe systemic infections, including hepatitis, nephritis, and enteritis in young birds, most infected birds are subclinical and thought to recover spontaneously after a period of temporary spore shedding if they do not have immunosuppression. Microsporidia can cause self-limiting infection in immunocompetent humans and life-threatening chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.

Companion animal veterinary personnel have occupational risk for tularemia and One Health role for tularemia prevention in Kansas.
Forty-three percent (47 of 109) of veterinarians reported diagnosing tularemia in cats and 13% (14 of 109) in dogs. Seven percent (8 of 109) of veterinarians reported having had tularemia. When performing procedures with a high risk of exposure, such as lancing abscesses in tularemia suspects, glove use was 100% but additional personal protective equipment was inconsistent, including eye protection (70%) and surgical face mask (59%).

Owner satisfaction and prognosis for return to work after pancarpal arthrodesis in working dogs in the United Kingdom: a retrospective study (2011-2020).
50% (5/10) owners stated their dog could perform normal duties; 4/10 (40%) could perform most duties with some allowances. 80% (8/10) owners rated the level of post-operative lameness as unaffected with a normal gait. 90% (9/10) owners were either very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome of the procedure, and 90% owners stated the financial investment was worthwhile.

Feline acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation scores and other prognostic factors in cats with first-time diabetic ketoacidosis.
Median BG was significantly higher in non-survivors (431 mg/dL) compared with survivors (343 mg/dL) and BG predicted mortality. For every 1 mg/dL increase in BG, the odds of death increased by 1.004.