Evaluation of serum amyloid a levels in cats with lower urinary system disease

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the SAA levels of cats with LUT symptoms and diagnosed with lower urinary tract disease and to evaluate these levels in comparison with the SAA levels obtained from healthy cats. This study was carried out with a total of 20 cats, the study group consisting of 10 'indoor/naturally sick' cats with lower urinary tract disease related complaints and the control group consisting of 10 cats known to be healthy. The study group was analyzed in 2 groups as obstructive FLUTD (n=4) and non-obstructive FLUTD (n=6) depending on whether it is obstructed or not. Healthy cats in the control group were analyzed only for complete blood count, SAA, total protein and albumin levels. Complete urinalysis and diagnostic imaging tools were not utilized. Cats belonging to study group also analyzed for complete urinalysis and were applied diagnostic imaging. Values obtained from the control group were determined. Values obtained from the study group were also compared between the two groups obstructed and nonobstructed. Age, sex and breed was not regarded for both groups. Obstructive, non-obstructive and control groups' values had statistically similar frequencies based on sex, neuter status, breed, age and bodyweight. No predispositon was found. Cats in the study group showing LUT symptoms applied for physical, biochemical, microscopic and bacteriologic urine test respectively. Urine samples collected via cystosentesis in order to ensure sterility. After physical and biochemical evaluation, sterile urine samples were incubated in liquid medium for 24 hours at 37°C. After incubation, samples were stained with Gram stain. In 3 of 10 samples bacteria related to UTI were found, one of these three had gram-negative rod type bacteria and other two samples had gram-positive cocci bacteria. Urinary bladders of cats with LUTS (provided that their bladders are full) were ultrasonographically examined and 2 of the 10 cats diagnosed with urolitiasis. Diagnosis is supported with radiography. Cats diagnosed with urolitiasis had also UTI related bacteria. 7 of 10 cats those tests is not consistant with bacteriauria and/or urolithiasis were diagnosed with FIS. All parameters in the complete blood count of the cats in control group were within reference ranges. It was found that the parameters in the complete blood count of the 10 cats in the study group were similar in all 3 groups, no significant difference was found. Total protein values found similar in all three groups. It was determined that the albumin value was statistically significantly different in all three groups (p=0.003). It was determined that the albumin value (2.65) seen in the cats in the obstructive group was similar to the albumin value (3.3) in the observations in the non-obstructive group, and significantly lower than the albumin value (4.25) observed in the control group. In animals with normal SAA levels, TP levels (8.65) and albumin levels (3.25) were found to be significantly higher. SAA values of 10 cats in the control group were measured as 5ug/ml and were found to be normal. Three of the cats with obstruction (n=4) had SAA values above 5ug/ml, and only 1 of the cats in the non-obstructed group (n=6) had abnormal SAA values above 5ug/ml. However, according to the analyzes made, it was observed that the distribution of SAA data of the cats in the obstructive and non-obstructive groups was statistically similar and a relationship between SAA and obstructive FLUTD could not be determined. WBC values in 86 cats with normal SAA and WBC values in cats with abnormal SAA were compared and there was no difference in these values in the two groups. As a result; FLUTD is a frequently encountered syndrome in cats, and no significant difference was found regarding the predisposition in cats regarding gender, neuter status, breed, and age. In this direction, it is recommended that the number of cats in the study is insufficient and studies should be conducted with more cats. FIS was more commonly diagnosed in cats with LUTS in the study. Among the diagnostic methods used in cats with FLUTD-associated LUTS, complete urinalysis and diagnostic imaging methods have an important place. However, it is also important to evaluate the markers that increase and/or decrease in relation to inflammation, which will be shaped in line with the pathological processes occurring in the organism, in the differential diagnosis and/or to evaluate the presence of secondary diseases. It has been predicted that WBC value, which is a frequently used marker related to inflammation, is insufficient in some diseases and especially in the acute phase of the disease, and SAA value, which is an AFP, may be an earlier diagnostic marker. The fact that increased SAA levels are more common in obstructive cats suggests that it may be associated with an acute kidney injury as a result of obstruction. It is also recommended to examine kidney parameters in studies for this purpose.