Nephroliths in a cat: What is your diagnosis

An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was referred to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of bilateral nephroliths associated with persistent gross hematuria.

Are you an advocate of your patient's therapeutic rights?

In the April issue of DVM Newsmagazine (p. 48) we considered application of seven diagnostic axioms with the goal of enhancing patient care.

How common are urate uroliths in female Dalmatians?

Recently, I received a letter from an inquisitive Dalmatian owner which stated in part:

"I have a 9-year-old female Dalmatian that has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection because of red blood cells found in urine aspirated from her urinary bladder during an annual physical exam. She does not have a problem urinating and her urine appears very clear; it is not bloody. My vet has tried two types of antibiotics (cephalexin first and trimethoprim-sulfa three weeks later). Even though her urine is not bloody, red blood cells are still present in the urinalysis. My vet also prescribed a special diet to prevent urate stones from forming even though no crystals were found in her urine. Is there a probability of urinary stones even though there are no crystals in her urine? Is the urinary tract infection persisting because of stones?"

Misdiagnosis by intuition

Most would agree that a correct diagnosis is a key prerequisite to providing safe and effective treatment for various illnesses. However, our diagnoses are often a matter of opinion rather than matter of fact.

Recurrent vomiting in a dog, what's your diagnosis?

A 4-year-old female Rottweiler named Twice is admitted on an emergency basis to your hospital with an owner's complaint of substantial depression, anorexia and vomiting of three days' duration.

Nonsurgical retrieval of migrating transurethral catheters

Transurethral catheterization of the urinary bladder is commonly used as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid.

The medical history: Are you asking questions right?

From a client's viewpoint, timely differentiation of potentially reversible disease from irreversible disease is an important expectation related to clinical assessment of illness.

Are you knowledgeable? Are you wise? There is a difference

George Anyon, a philosopher, penned this thought, "Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more." What is the meaning of this aphorism? Is there a difference between knowledge and wisdom? How does this thought apply to our role as veterinary practitioners?

How to Treat Feline Urethral Obsructions

In the Diagnote appearing in the August issue of DVM Newsmagazine, decompressive cystocentesis and a five-step plan to re-establish urethral patency was described.