Cathrine Trangerud

Causes of lower urinary tract disease in Norwegian cats.

A study was made on causes of lower urinary tract disease in cats, and to investigate whether demographic data and factors related to husbandry might influence the occurrence of a particular diagnosis. The study was a prospective, descriptive, and analytical study of primary cases of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in Norway. Only cats sampled by cystocentesis were included in the present study. Of the 119 cats included, 28.6% were diagnosed with obstructive FLUTD. The majority of cats were diagnosed with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) (55.5%). Urethral plugs were the second most common diagnosis (21.0%), whereas bacterial cystitis and urolithiasis each were diagnosed in 11.8%. Nearly one-third (28.6%) of the cats diagnosed with urolithiasis had significant bacteriuria. Thus, significant bacteriuria was diagnosed in a total of 15.1% of the cats. There were no significant differences in the urine specific gravity, pH and amount of epithelial cells in the urine sediment in the different aetiological categories of FLUTD. There was a higher amount of red blood cells in the urine sediment in cats diagnosed with urethral plugs and urolithiasis, whereas cats with bacterial cystitis and urolithiasis had a higher amount of white blood cells in their sediment. Regarding demographic data and factors related to husbandry, cats diagnosed with FLUTD were more often males and kept strictly indoors, when compared with a ‘reference population’.

Canine neonatal mortality in four large breeds

The high mortality in canine neonates are related to many factors, including prolonged labour, maternal neglect or carelessness, lack of milk, plus congenital abnormalities and acquired disorders in the neonate [1,3-5]. The immature status of the newborn puppies makes them vulnerable and totally depending on intensive care from the dam. The puppies are highly susceptible to hypothermia, due to poorly developed thermoregulatory mechanisms. They cannot induce peripheral vasoconstriction or react to low temperature by shivering. The energy requirement is high, but the energy reserves are low and the immature liver is inefficient in generating energy. This makes the neonate predisposed to hypoglycaemia. Due to immature kidney function there is an increased risk of dehydration. The neonates have a high percentage of body water (82%) compared to adults and have a greater loss of water through their lungs and skin due to a large surface to volume ratio, which further increase the risk of dehydration [7-9].

A prospective study on Canine Hip Dysplasia and growth in a cohort of four large breeds in Norway (1998–2001)

The study-objective was to measure the effect of weight and growth related parameters on the risk of development of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). The hypothesis was that heavy and fast growing dogs of large sized breeds were at increased risk of development of CHD compared to lighter and slower growing dogs. A prospective cohort study was conducted among dogs of four large breeds: Newfoundland (NF), Leonberger (LEO), Labrador retriever (LR), and Irish wolfhound (IW). The dogs were privately owned with individualized nutrition and environment, and they were followed from birth and throughout the growth period until the official screening for CHD was performed. The study sample consisted of 501 dogs from 103 litters, with the breed distribution 125 NF, 180 LEO, 133 LR, and 63 IW. Because the dogs were clustered in litters a multivariable random effects logistic regression model was used to assess statistically significant growth-related risk factors for CHD. The estimated incidence risk of CHD was 36% in NF, 25% in LEO, 20% in LR, and 10% in IW. Based upon the final multilevel model it appears that the odds of CHD among both LR and IW (odds ratio (OR) 0.22) are about one-fifth of the odds for NF. The odds for LEO (OR 0.60) are not significantly different from NF. There appeared to be an inverse relationship between body weight at 3 months of age and odds of CHD, with an OR of 0.89 (P=0.044). The degree of clustering at the litter-level was high (22.6%) and highly significant (P<0.001). Findings failed to support the hypothesis that heavy and fast growing dogs from four large sized breeds were at increased risk for development of CHD. There might be other unmeasured environmental risk factors for CHD in this cohort of dogs, although the contribution of the genetic variance to the litter-level clustering also needs further investigation.

A longitudinal study on diarrhoea and vomiting in young dogs of four large breeds

BackgroundProspective studies to document the occurrence of canine diarrhoea and vomiting are relatively scarce in dogs, and the majority of published studies are based on information from clinical records. This study investigates the incidence risk of diarrhoea and vomiting as well as potential risk factors.MethodsA cohort study of 585 privately owned dogs of four breeds: Newfoundland, Labrador retriever, Leonberger, and Irish wolfhound. The owners maintained a continuous log regarding housing, exercise, nutrition, and health of their dogs. Episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting were recorded in a consecutive manner in a booklet. The owners completed the questionnaires and reported information at three, four, six, 12, 18, and 24/25 months of age, called observational ages.Associations with potential risk factors for diarrhoea and vomiting were investigated in separate generalized estimating equation analyses.ResultsThe incidence of both diarrhoea and vomiting was influenced by breed. Both diarrhoea and vomiting were relatively common in young dogs, occurring most frequently during the first months of life. After three months of age, the odds of diarrhoea were significantly lower when compared to the observational period seven weeks to three months (OR ranging from 0.31 to 0.70 depending on the period). More males than females suffered from diarrhoea (OR = 1.42). The occurrence of diarrhoea was more common in dogs that also experienced episode(s) of vomiting during the study period (OR = 5.43) and vice versa (OR = 5.50). In the majority of dogs episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting did not occur at the same time. Dogs in urban areas had higher odds (OR = 1.88) of getting diarrhoea compared to dogs living in rural areas. The occurrence of both diarrhoea and vomiting demonstrated a seasonal variation with higher incidence during the summer months.ConclusionBoth diarrhoea and vomiting occurred most frequently during the first months of life. The incidence of diarrhoea and vomiting was significantly different between breeds. Diarrhoea occurred more frequently in males and in dogs living in urban areas. Also, a positive association between the occurrence of diarrhoea and vomiting in the same dog was found.

Housing- and exercise-related risk factors associated with the development of hip dysplasia as determined by radiographic evaluation in a prospective cohort of Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, Leonbergers, and Irish Wolfhounds in Norway

OBJECTIVE To identify housing- and exercise-related risk factors associated with the development of hip dysplasia (HD) as determined by radiographic evaluation in Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, Leonbergers, and Irish Wolfhounds in Norway. ANIMALS 501 client-owned dogs from 103 litters. PROCEDURES Dogs were assessed from birth until official radiographic screening for HD at 12 (Labrador Retriever [n = 133] and Irish Wolfhound [63]) or 18 (Newfoundland [125] and Leonberger [180]) months of age. Information regarding housing and exercise conditions during the preweaning and postweaning periods was obtained with questionnaires. Multivariable random effects logistic regression models were used to identify housing- and exercise-related risk factors associated with the development of radiographically detectable HD. RESULTS Puppies walking on stairs from birth to 3 months of age had an increased risk of developing HD. Factors associated with a decreased risk of developing HD included off-leash exercise from birth to 3 months of age, birth during the spring and summer, and birth on a farm. Significant clustering of dogs with HD was detected within litters. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that puppies ≤ 3 months old should not be allowed access to stairs, but should be allowed outdoor exercise on soft ground in moderately rough terrain to decrease the risk for developing radiographically detectable HD. These findings could be used as practical recommendations for the prevention of HD in Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, Leonbergers, and Irish Wolfhounds.