Epidemiology of feline uroliths and urethral plugs August 1, 2008 By: Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM

In 1981, calcium oxalate was detected in only 2 percent of feline uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center, whereas struvite was detected in 78 percent. However, beginning in the mid-1980s, a dramatic increase in the frequency of calcium oxalate uroliths occurred in association with a decrease in the frequency of struvite uroliths (Figure 1) .

Red means stop July 1, 2008 By: Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM

In the Dr. Seuss classic Go Dogs Go, we learn a very important lesson that remains with us throughout our lives: Red means stop.

Diagnosis, treatment of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in dogs July 1, 2008 By: Kim L. Cronin, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM

Malignant tumors of the lower urinary tract include transitional cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.

The diagnostic approach to hematuria July 1, 2008 By: Mary Bowles, DVM, DACVIM

This article and the accompanying algorithms are intended to guide practitioners through the series of steps necessary to confirm the presence of hematuria, localize the source of the RBCs, and identify the specific cause.

Quantitative urolith analysis: A standard of practice? December 1, 2007 By: Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Jody P. Lulich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM

A quarter-century ago, analysis of uroliths removed (usually by surgery) was optional. In fact, rather than have the stones analyzed, some veterinary practitioners gave them to their clients as a topic of conversation. What about today? Is it an acceptable standard of practice to give stones retrieved from the urinary tract to owners without knowing their composition? What would be your response to a physician who gave you stones retrieved from your urinary tract? Believe it or not, we have received uroliths for analysis formed by our veterinary colleagues that were given to them by a physician. Of course, we did not perform the requested analysis because we did not want to cross the line of practicing medicine without a license. Instead, we sent them to a laboratory licensed to provide that service.

Urinalysis: What is your interpretation? September 1, 2007 By: Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM

Urinalysis is one of our most important clinical diagnostic tools. Unfortunately, most diagnostic reagent strips used to perform routine urinalyses in veterinary laboratories have been designed for human use.

Analysis of 36,032 canine cases shows decline in struvite uroliths June 1, 2007 By: Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Jody P. Lulich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM

Knowledge of urolith composition is important because contemporary methods of detection, treatment and prevention of the underlying causes of urolithiasis largely depend on knowledge of urolith composition.

Practical Matters: Urine cortisol:creatinine ratio—the most useful normal test around July 1, 2006 By: Nyssa J. Reine, DVM, DACVIM (small animal internal medicine)

Definitively diagnosing canine hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) can be exceptionally difficult because nonadrenal illness can affect the test results. However, I think that the urine cortisol:creatinine ratio (UC:Cr) serves an invaluable role in ruling out canine Cushing's disease since a dog with a normal UC:Cr almost assuredly does not have Cushing's disease.

An update on diagnosing and treating urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma in dogs June 1, 2006 By: David A. Heller, DVM, Louis-Philippe de Lorimier, DVM, DACVIM (oncology), Timothy M. Fan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (small animal internal medicine, oncology)

Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is by far the most common neoplasm of the urinary system in dogs.