Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate fluorescein use in the diagnosis of bladder ruptures in rabbits as an experimental model.Material and Methods: The study was conducted on male New Zealand rabbits divided into a retrograde fluorescein group (n = 8) and an intravenous (IV) fluorescein group (n = 8). Following general anaesthesia, 10 mL of 10% fluorescein dye (sodium fluoresceine powder) was administered via ureterorenoscope to the bladder of the first group, and 0.5 mL of 10% fluorescein was administered intravenously to the second group. Then, the bladder was viewed through the cystoscope by urethral aspect. After experimental bladder perforation, groups were comparatively evaluated by paracentesis and laparotomy.Results: Following IV injection of fluorescein dye, the bladder veins were stained green within 10 s and then fluorescein mixed with urine flowed into bladder lumen. The green fluid flow was observed in the abdominal cavity after the perforation of the bladder in both groups.Conclusion: Fluorescein can be used as a marker in diagnosis of bladder ruptures. If there is no bleeding or intestinal content in the abdominal cavity, although a smoky yellow-green image is observed, bladder rupture can be suspected.

Introduction: The aim of this research was to provide a detailed description of the morphology, topography, and histometry of rabbit accessory genital glands. Material and Methods: Seven male New Zealand White rabbits, 3–4 months of age and weighing 2.1–3 kg were used for the study. The whole urethra from the urinary bladder to the external urethral orifice accompanied by accessory genital glands was sliced at intervals of 1 mm. The serial sections were prepared with haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Movat–Russell modified pentachrome stain. Results: A detailed description of the morphology and morphometry was provided. The topography of the organs was explained on the basis of characteristic cross-sections on histological slides. The inconsistent nomenclature and descriptions of these glands by different authors were also discussed. Conclusion: The morphometric analysis indicated that some of the glands described have similar dimensions in different individuals, while others like paraprostates revealed high diversity in the number of lobes, their size, and their structure. The accessory glands are also good topographic markers which precisely define the segment of the urethra. The terms “proprostate”, “prostate”, and “paraprostates” as the nomenclature of the prostate complex reflect the location of these glands well and indicate their common origin and function.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of excretory urography performed during radiography (REU) and CT (CTEU) in healthy rabbits, determine timings of urogram phases, and compare sensitivities of REU and CTEU for detection of these phases. ANIMALS 13 New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PROCEDURES Rabbits were screened for signs of systemic and urinary tract disease. An REU examination of each was performed, followed ≥ 5 days later by a CTEU examination. Contrast images from each modality were evaluated for quality of opacification and intervals between initiation of contrast medium administration and detection of various urogram phases. RESULTS Excretory urograms of excellent diagnostic quality were achieved with both imaging modalities. For all rabbits, the nephrographic phase of the urogram appeared in the first postcontrast REU image (obtained between 34 and 40 seconds after initiation of contrast medium administration) and at a median interval of 20 seconds in CTEU images. The pyelographic phase began at a median interval of 1.63 minutes with both imaging modalities. Contrast medium was visible within the urinary bladder at a median interval of 2.20 minutes. Median interval to the point at which the nephrogram and pyelogram were no longer visible in REU images was 8 hours and 2.67 hours, respectively. The CTEU technique was better than the REU technique for evaluating renal parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that REU and, particularly, CTEU may be valuable tools for the diagnosis of renal and urinary tract disease in rabbits; however, additional evaluation in diseased rabbits is required.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of manual bladder expression in paraplegic dogs by comparing urine volumes measured by use of intermittent catheterization and ultrasonography. ANIMALS 36 paraplegic dogs. PROCEDURES 93 measurements of bladder volume were collected for the 36 dogs. Residual urine volume was determined by use of intermittent urethral catheterization and estimated by use of ultrasonography. RESULTS Manual bladder expression voided a mean of 49% of urine from the bladder in this population of dogs. There was no correlation (R2, 0.06) between the effectiveness of manual bladder expression and body weight. Ultrasonographic estimation of bladder volume had good correlation (R2, 0.62) with bladder volume determined by use of intermittent bladder catheterization, but clinically unacceptable variation for predicting actual bladder volume (mean difference, 22 mL; 95% confidence interval, −96 to 139 mL). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Manual bladder expression was ineffective at completely emptying urine from the bladder of paraplegic dogs, but the effectiveness of the procedure was not affected by body weight. Manual bladder expression would likely be a useful procedure to prevent increases in pressure within the bladder. Ultrasonographic estimation of bladder volume could be a useful predictor of actual bladder volume, but it was susceptible to wide variations among dogs, and results should therefore be interpreted with caution.

The objective of this study was to compare the bursting strength (BS) and mode of failure (MF) of ventral midline (VM) celiotomies closed with USP 7 polydioxanone (7PD) in 1 or 2 simple continuous sections. A bursting strength model, consisting of inserting and inflating a 200-L polyurethane bladder through a 25-cm VM celiotomy, was used on 15 fresh equine cadavers. Celiotomies were closed using 7PD in 2 separate sections (4 knots), 2 continuous sections (3 knots), or a single section (2 knots) using a simple continuous pattern. The horses’ signalment, body weight, number of total knots, MF, and BS were recorded and analyzed statistically for interactions. No difference was found between the BS of VM celiotomies closure types (P = 0.4). All celiotomy/suture constructs failed at the abdominal wall. The celiotomy closure types evaluated in this study provided a secure method of closure in VM celiotomies in vivo.

Objective: To determine expression of microRNA (miRNA) in urinary bladder samples obtained from dogs with grossly normal urinary bladders, inflammatory bladder disease, or transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and in cells of established canine TCC cell lines. Sample: Samples of grossly normal bladders (n = 4) and bladders from dogs with inflammatory bladder disease (13) or TCC (18), and cells of 5 established canine TCC cell lines. Procedures: Expression of 5 miRNAs (miR-34a, let-7c, miR-16, miR-103b, and miR-106b) that target p53, Rb, or Bcl-2 protein pathways was determined for bladder samples and cells via quantitative real-time PCR assay. Effects of cisplatin (5μM) on proliferation and miRNA expression of cells were determined. Results: Expression of miR-34a and miR-106b was significantly higher in TCC samples than it was in samples of grossly normal bladders. Expression of miR-34a, miR-16, miR-103b, and miR-106b was higher in TCC samples than it was in bladder samples from dogs with inflammatory bladder disease. Cells of established canine TCC cell lines that had the lowest growth after cisplatin treatment had increased miR-34a expression after such treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Findings of this study indicated results of miRNA expression assays can be used to distinguish between samples of grossly normal bladders and bladders of dogs with inflammatory bladder disease or TCC. This finding may have clinical relevance because currently available diagnostic tests cannot be used to differentiate these tissues, and inflammatory bladder disease and TCC are both prevalent in dogs. Validation of miRNA expression assays as diagnostic tests may be warranted.

Objective—To characterize and compare the urine protein content in cats without urinary tract disease and cats with idiopathic cystitis (IdC), bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI), or urolithiasis. Animals—Control cats (n = 18) and cats with IdC (18), UTI (12), and urolithiasis (12) from which urine samples were obtained and 2 cats with obstructive IdC and 4 additional control cats from which postmortem urinary bladder biopsy specimens were obtained. Procedures—Protein contents in urine samples obtained via cystocentesis or catheterization were measured via the Bradford method. Urine proteins were separated by means of 1-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Evaluation of fibronectin content was performed via western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. Urinary bladder biopsy specimens were examined histologically and analyzed immunohistochemically for fibronectin. Results—Urine fibronectin content was significantly greater in cats with IdC, compared with control cat findings. Urine fibronectin contents did not differ significantly among controls and cats with UTI or urolithiasis. Histologic examination of bladder biopsy specimens obtained from 2 cats with obstructive IdC revealed destruction of the urothelial lining of the urinary bladder and severe fibrosis; immunohistochemical analysis revealed few fluorescence signals for fibronectin, unlike findings in control bladder biopsy specimens. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that urine fibronectin content in cats with IdC was greater than that in controls, cats with UTI, or cats with urolithiasis. In cats with IdC, increased permeability of damaged urothelium may result in detachment and leakage of fibronectin into urine. Urine fibronectin might serve as a biomarker for diagnosis of IdC in cats.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of urinary acupoint (BL-23, BL-28) by acupuncture (AP) and electroacupuncture (EA) on urinary bladder in dogs. Four healthy male dogs aged within the range of 6~8 months were used in this experiment. For Electrodes implantation on the bladder, dogs were to undergo surgical operation. The purpose of investigating the effect on urinary bladder was to evaluate electromyogram (EMG) changes according to AP or EA at Shen Shu (BL-23), Pang Guang Shu (BL-28) and non-acupoint.

Objective-To determine the effects of stress in cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) by evaluating bladder permeability, sympathetic nervous system function, and urine cortisol:creatinine (C:Cr) ratios during periods of stress and after environmental enrichment. Design-Prospective study. Animals-13 cats with FIC and 12 healthy cats. Procedure-Cats subjected to an acute-onset moderate stressor for 8 days received IV injections of fluorescein. Serum fluorescein concentrations were determined and compared with those of controls to evaluate bladder permeability, and urine C:Cr ratios were compared to evaluate function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were analyzed in a subset of cats. After 8 days of moderate stress, cats were moved to an enriched environment, and tests were repeated after 21 days. Results-Serum fluorescein concentrations were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points. In the cats in which plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined, concentrations of dihydroxyphenylalanine, norepinephrine, and dihyroxyphenylglycol were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points, whereas no differences in urine C:Cr ratio between groups were observed. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance-Cats with FIC appeared to have altered bladder permeability, most notably during the period of initial stress. The increase in plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine concentration suggests that there may be stress-induced increase in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis. In contrast, no effects of stress on C:Cr ratios were observed, which suggests there was dissociation between the sympathetic nervous system and HPA-axis responses to stress.

Objective-To compare effects of electroacupuncture and butorphanol on hemodynamic and respiratory variables and rectal analgesia in mares after controlled rectal distention. Animals-8 healthy mares. Procedure-Each horse received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.01 mL/kg, IV; control treatment), butorphanol tartrate (0.1 mg/kg, IV), or 2 hours of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints Bladder 21, 25, and 27 on both sides of the vertebral column, Bai hui, and Stomach 36 (right side only). Order of treatments in each mare was randomized. At least 7 days elapsed between treatments. A balloon was inserted in the rectum of each mare, and controlled distention of the balloon (pressures of ≤ 220 mm Hg) was used to measure nociceptive rectal pain threshold. Rectal temperature and cardiovascular and respiratory variables were measured before (baseline) and 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after onset of each treatment. Results-Butorphanol produced greater increases in rectal pain threshold, compared with EA (mean +/- SD, 214 +/- 24 vs 174 +/- 35 mm Hg of balloon pressure). Electroacupuncture produced minimal cardiovascular and respiratory changes. Although clinically not important, butorphanol produced moderate significant increases in heart and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressure, and rectal temperature and decreases in arterial oxygen tension. Arterial pH, carbon dioxide tension, bicarbonate concentrations, base excess, Hct, and concentration of total solids were not significantly different from baseline values after EA, butorphanol, and control treatments. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Electroacupuncture and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg, IV) may provide useful rectal analgesia in horses.