** PLEASE NOTE THIS STUDY IS CLOSED & NO LONGER RECRUITING PATIENTS **
Background:
Urolithiasis is an increasingly common clinical condition in cats and dogs. Most of the stones present a unique therapeutic challenge since they cannot be prevented using medical therapy.
Investigators have documented that specific microbial population (microbiome) are associated with cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease (Neu 2011, Cox 2010, Ravel 2011, Qin 2010, Solt 2012). Human microbial research has provided opportunities for new insights into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human urologic disease including urinary incontinence and cystitis. Standard urine culture is missing some essential microbes, more sophisticated methods are now available and will be used in this project.
If a unique canine and feline urinary microbial profile is to be identified in stone formers patients, manipulation of urinary microbiome might represent a novel preventative treatment for stone formation.
Procedure:
2 mL of urine will either be collected via free-flow (dogs only: collected when urinating outside naturally) or your dog or cat may be sedated lightly before a sample is collected from the bladder using a small needle attached to a syringe (standard technique). A fecal and a vaginal sample will be collected gently with a moistened cotton tip applicator.
Samples required:
- 2 mL of urine
- A fecal and a vaginal sample
Client Compensation:
Your pet will benefit from a sophisticated urine, and fecal analysis for free. The results of this procedure might help managing small animals with urinary stones and treat them appropriately. This study will help in the future family veterinarians deciding when to suspect urinary tract infection while the standard urine culture is negative.
There is no cost to participate in this study.
Researchers:
- Dr. Alice Defarges (PI)
Contact:
Vicky Sabine (PhD), Clinical Research Coordinator
- Work Cell #: 226-218-0338
- Email: ovc.clinicaltrials@uoguelph.ca