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Question

8 yr old male greyhound not his usual high energy self presented with polyuria & polydipsia. ALso has softer stood than companion greyhound. Workup urine spec grav low normal (1.024), no glucose/ketones, small amout of microalbumin. Nl BUN/Cr. Not anemic (44%). ACTH stim neagative. Slight weight loss, visable, alb (3.1), slight elevated SGOT (226). Ultrasound nl kidneys, nl liver maybe mild hepatocellular swelling, kidneys mild hyperechoic c/w inflammation/mild GN, Spenomegaly nl homogenous nl echogenicity and shape. 4X tick assay negative, coombs positive.

what would be the next step in the workup? Differential diagnosis?

Submitted: 359 days and 4 hours ago via PetPlace.
Category: Dog
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 8; Male; Breed: Greyhound

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Posted by Dr. Lisa 359 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

It appears you have started thorough work-up.

Has the stool been tested for parsites and /or fatty content?

Was a thyroid test done?

359 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

stool not tested, a recent observation

I don't think thyroid evaluated

Posted by Dr. Lisa 359 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

Is your dog intact or neutered?

Did they send the urine out to be cultured?

 

359 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

neutered (retired racedog)

I believe culture was an appropriate low colony count

 

 

 

 

Posted by Dr. Lisa 359 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

If this is an acute onset even with the US changes to the kidneys I would consider a toxin possibility. I would recommend placing the pet on IV fluids and re-evaluating the blood work and image of the kidneys in 24hrs. If there are no improvements consider a kidney biopsy after checking the clotting profile.

359 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

not acute onset, approx 4 months of drinking and increased urination. initally atributed to heat, but obviously not the case.

 

is there a diferential diagnosis?

cancer?

immune mediated process? Inflammatory markers in liver and kidneys (lab and echo findings)

hematologic condition? (positive coombs)

GI souces?

psychogenic??

 

there definitely has been some weight loss though appears to eat normally

Accepted Answer

The "positive" coombs may be false or immune response because there is no anemia. A positive can simply mean that there is a immune reaction to the red blood cells so I am less concerned with any hematologic condition.

As also with psychogenic because of the weight loss which is not usually seen with that disorder.

As to GI sources, you stated that the appetite has remained normal and the diarrhea is a recent occurrence suggesting that this may be a secondary response and possibly not the primary cause.

An immune mediated, viral or cancerous cause are all very reasonable and still believe that your final diagnosis lays with obtaining a tissue sample.

You also mentioned that an ACTH stim test was normal, how long ago was that done and have you considered repeating it as this presentation could be atypical Cushing's.

I hope this has been helpful for you.

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Expert: Dr. Lisa
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 42
Answered: 11/15/2008

Emergency Clinician

15+years vet care: Emergency/Critical Care small animals

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