Yeast Overgrowth in Cats With Allergic Skin Disease

Ordeix, L., F. Galeotti, et al. (2007). "Malassezia spp. overgrowth in allergic cats." Vet Dermatol 18(5): 316-23.

Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) are yeasts found on the skin surface of animals and humans. A series of 18 cats with skin disease is reported; 16 of which were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. All were diagnosed with overgrowth of Malassezia on cytological examination or fungal culture. Skin lesions included multifocal alopecia, erythema, crusting and greasy adherent brownish scales. Treatment consisted of antifungal therapy alone, antifungal plus antibacterial therapy, or antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. After 3 to 4 weeks, substantial improvement was seen in all cats treated with combination therapy, and in 71% of cats treated with antifungal therapy alone. Malassezia overgrowth may be a secondary problem in some allergic cats, especially those with greasy adherent brownish scales.
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Related article:
Ahman, S., N. Perrins, et al. (2007). "Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study." Vet Dermatol 18(3): 171-4.

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Efficacy of Amoxicillin for Common Cat Infections

Roy, J., S. Messier, et al. (2007). "Clinical and in vitro efficacy of amoxicillin against bacteria associated with feline skin wounds and abscesses." Can Vet J 48(6): 607-11.

One of the most common cat health problems seen by veterinarians is skin or wound infections, typically due to injuries from fighting with other cats. Such infections are typically treated by cleansing the wound and prescribing a broad spectrum antibiotic. Veterinarians are concerned about emerging bacterial resistance problems, and are encouraged to use antimicrobial agents wisely, reserving newer and more powerful antibiotics for serious infections and resistant cases. This study was designed to determine if a common older antibiotic, amoxicillin, was still effective for treatment of this type of infection. The study examined bacterial cultures from the wounds of 122 cats and tested the isolates for sensitivity to amoxicillin. The global success rate was over 95%, demonstrating that amoxicillin is still a good choice for common skin and wound infections in cats.
>> Free full text article from PubMed Central

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Risks from Adjuvanted Vaccines in Cats

Day, M. J., H. A. Schoon, et al. (2007). "A kinetic study of histopathological changes in the subcutis of cats injected with non-adjuvanted and adjuvanted multi-component vaccines." Vaccine 25(20): 4073-84.

In the last decade, considerable attention has been focused on the role of inflammation in the formation of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. This study evaluated the subcutaneous tissue response to a single injection of a multi-component vaccine in 3 groups of cats, plus a control group given saline. Group 1 cats were given a non-adjuvanted vaccine, Group 2 cats were given a lipid-based adjuvanted vaccine, and Group 3 cats were given an alum-Quil A adjuvanted vaccine. The injection sites were biopsied at various time points and examined for inflammation and evidence of tissue repair. At all time points, there was significantly less inflammation associated with injection of the non-adjuvanted vaccine. Cats given the adjuvanted vaccines had evidence of residual adjuvant material inside macrophages even at 62 days post-injection.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information on feline vaccinations:
The 2006 Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners

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Lily Toxicity in a Cat

Berg, R. I., T. Francey, et al. (2007). "Resolution of acute kidney injury in a cat after lily (Lilium lancifolium) intoxication." J Vet Intern Med 21(4): 857-9.

This is a case report of a young male cat that suffered acute kidney failure after ingestion of orange tiger lily flowers (Lilium lancifolium). After 12 days of intensive care, including hemodialysis and an esophageal feeding tube, the cat recovered fully. Easter lily toxicity usually causes death in cats due to severe kidney damage. Common signs of toxicity include vomiting, increased thirst and urination, disorientation, swelling of the face and paws, and seizures.

More from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners:
Lily ingestion toxicity in cats

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Cefovecin, A New Long-Lasting Antibiotic For Cats

Stegemann, M. R., J. Sherington, et al. (2007). "The efficacy and safety of cefovecin in the treatment of feline abscesses and infected wounds." J Small Anim Pract 48(12): 683-9.

Cefovecin (Convenia, Pfizer Animal Health) is a new third generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The drug has a very long half-life, so that a single injection lasts 14 days in cats. The objective of this project was to determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin for the treatment of cat bite wounds and abscesses. Cats enrolled in the study were either given cefovecin or oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Efficacy was 100% for both drugs, showing that the new long-lasting antibiotic injection is as effective as 14 days of oral treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Stegemann, M. R., J. Sherington, et al. (2006). "Pharmacokinetics of cefovecin in cats." J Vet Pharmacol Ther 29(6): 513-24.

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Pregnancy Testing in Cats Using Urine

de Haas van Dorsser, F. J., S. Lasano, et al. (2007). "Pregnancy diagnosis in cats using a rapid, bench-top kit to detect relaxin in urine." Reprod Domest Anim 42(1): 111-2.

Relaxin is a pregnancy-specific hormone in the queen, produced by the placenta. At least one company produces a blood test for pregnancy in cats based on relaxin. This study aimed to determine if urine could be used for rapid diagnosis of pregnancy using a simple in-house kit. The kit was able to detect pregnancy using urine samples from 28 days after mating, with some samples testing positive as early as 21 days. This opens the possibility that a commercially available kit could be marketed for the easy and rapid diagnosis of pregnancy in domestic cats. Similar work has also been published for the leopard (Panthera pardus).
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:

de Haas van Dorsser, F. J., W. F. Swanson, et al. (2006). "Development, validation, and application of a urinary relaxin radioimmunoassay for the diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy in felids." Biol Reprod 74(6): 1090-5.

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Trends in Urinary Tract Stones in Cats

Cannon, A. B., J. L. Westropp, et al. (2007). "Evaluation of trends in urolith composition in cats: 5,230 cases (1985-2004)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(4): 570-6.

This retrospective case series looked at 5,230 urinary tract stones submitted to the Gerald V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory (University of California, Davis) from 1985 to 2004. Over the past 20 years, the ratio of calcium oxalate stones to struvite stones has increased significantly. However, this trend may be changing. In the last 3 years of the study period, more struvite stones were submitted than calcium oxalate stones. The most common location for both struvite and calcium oxalate stones was the bladder, but the number of calcium oxalate stones from the upper urinary tract increased significantly over time during the study period.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Picavet, P., J. Detilleux, et al. (2007). "Analysis of 4495 canine and feline uroliths in the Benelux. A retrospective study: 1994-2004." J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 91(5-6): 247-51.

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Ethical issues in senior cat care

Rollin, B. E. (2007). "Ethical issues in geriatric feline medicine." J Feline Med Surg 9(4): 326-34.

As veterinary medicine advances, more sophisticated techniques have become available to keep pets alive, and the increased value of pets in society has created an increased demand for such treatments. Veterinarians must grapple with the ethical issues around keeping an elderly sick cat alive too long. Part of the veterinarian's role is to discuss quality of life issues with the owner, and also control of chronic pain and distress.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Gunn-Moore, D., K. Moffat, et al. (2007). "Cognitive dysfunction and the neurobiology of ageing in cats." J Small Anim Pract 48(10): 546-53.

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Importance of Body Condition in Cats With Cancer

Baez, J. L., K. E. Michel, et al. (2007). "A prospective investigation of the prevalence and prognostic significance of weight loss and changes in body condition in feline cancer patients." J Feline Med Surg 9(5): 411-7.

Weight loss is a common finding in cancer patients for a variety of reasons. When the amount of weight loss cannot be accounted for by a simple decrease in food intake, it is termed "cancer cachexia." This phenomenon is also seen in feline cancer patients. This study of 57 cats with cancer looked at weight loss and changes in body condition. The majority of the patients had reduced fat and muscle mass. Using a body condition score system of 1-9, cats with a BCS of under 5 had a median survival time of 3.3 months compared to a median survival of 16.7 months for cats with a BCS of 5 or more.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Assessing Pain Relief in Cats with Osteoarthritis

Lascelles, B. D., B. D. Hansen, et al. (2007). "Evaluation of client-specific outcome measures and activity monitoring to measure pain relief in cats with osteoarthritis." J Vet Intern Med 21(3): 410-6.
Osteoarthritis may be underdiagnosed and under treated in cats. One of the problems is that there are no validated systems for measuring osteoarthritis pain in cats. Thirteen cats over 10 years of age with decreased activity, painful arthritic joints, and clinically normal blood work were included in the study and evaluated for 3 weeks. In weeks 2 and 3, meloxicam or a placebo was administered in a blinded, randomized, cross-over manner. Owner subjective assessments and an activity monitor were used to detect pain and assess efficacy of treatment. Activity counts for the week when cats were given meloxicam were significantly higher than baseline. Quality of life improved significantly with meloxicam.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Feline osteoarthritis: a prospective study of 28 cases
Prevalence of radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease in a hospital population of cats
Osteoarthritis in cats: a retrospective radiological study

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Prevalence of Chronic Gingivitis in Cats

Healey, K. A., S. Dawson, et al. (2007). "Prevalence of feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis in first opinion veterinary practice." J Feline Med Surg 9(5): 373-81.

Chronic gingivitis and stomatitis in the cat is characterized by persistent, sometimes severe, inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth. To date, there has been no data estimating the prevalence of this condition in cats visiting first-opinion veterinary practices. In this study, 12 practices in the UK took part, providing a sample population of 4858 cats. In this population of cats, the prevalence of chronic gingivitis/stomatitis was 0.7%.
>> PubMed Abstract

February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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B Vitamin Deficiency in Sick Cats

Reed, N., D. Gunn-Moore, et al. (2007). "Cobalamin, folate and inorganic phosphate abnormalities in ill cats." J Feline Med Surg 9(4): 278-88.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of low cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate levels in a population of cats that were suffering predominantly from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and to determine whether severity of disease related to the degree of deficiency. Of 103 cats in the study, 16.5% had low cobalamin levels and 38.8% had low folate levels. Supplementation of these nutrients in sick cats may be indicated more frequently than is currently thought.

>> PubMed Abstract

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Time Trends for Diabetes in Cats

Prahl, A., L. Guptill, et al. (2007). "Time trends and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in cats presented to veterinary teaching hospitals." J Feline Med Surg 9(5): 351-8.

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disease of cats. There are anecdotal reports that the incidence of feline diabetes is increasing. The primary purpose of the present study was to identify temporal trends in the hospital prevalence of DM over a 30-year period using a large hospital data base, and to characterize potential host risk factors. Hospital prevalence increased from eight cases per 10,000 in 1970 to 124 per 10,000 in 1999.

>> PubMed Abstract

Veterinary Partner.com: Diabetes Mellitus Center

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Does the Moon Affect Feline Health?

Wells, R. J., J. R. Gionfriddo, et al. (2007). "Canine and feline emergency room visits and the lunar cycle: 11,940 cases (1992-2002)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(2): 251-3.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of canine and feline emergency visits with respect to the lunar cycle. Relative risk calculations identified a significant increase in emergencies for dogs and cats on fuller moon days (waxing gibbous to waning gibbous), compared with all other days.

>> PubMed Abstract

For another viewpoint, see:
McAlees, T. J. and G. A. Anderson (2007). "The influence of the full moon on the number of accessions to an animal emergency centre." Aust Vet J 85(10): 389-91.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Prevalence of Infectious Diseases in Cats Surviving the 2005 Hurricanes

Levy, J. K., C. H. Edinboro, et al. (2007). "Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, feline leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among dogs and cats exported from the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricane disaster area." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(2): 218-25.

This study looks at the seroprevalences of Dirofilaria (heartworm), FeLV infection, and FIV infection in cats exported from the Gulf Coast region following the 2005 hurricanes (1,289 cats exported from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas between August 20 and December 31, 2005). The results suggest that cats exported from the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricane disaster area had disease rates similar to those for animals in the region prior to the hurricanes.

>> PubMed Abstract

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Evaluating Post-operative Pain in Cats

Vaisanen, M. A., S. K. Tuomikoski, et al. (2007). "Behavioral alterations and severity of pain in cats recovering at home following elective ovariohysterectomy or castration." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(2): 236-42.

Owners were asked to complete a questionnaire on their cats' behavior during the 3 days after surgery. Owners were also asked to indicate their perceptions of the severity of postoperative pain. Results suggested that behavioral alterations can be detected for several days after surgery in cats recovering at home following ovariohysterectomy (spay) or castration and emphasized owner concerns about the existence of postoperative pain.

>> PubMed Abstract

For more information:
Pain Management Guidelines by the American Animal Hospital Assoc. and the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners

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Adverse Events After Vaccination in Cats

Moore, G. E., A. C. DeSantis-Kerr, et al. (2007). "Adverse events after vaccine administration in cats: 2,560 cases (2002-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(1): 94-100.

Although overall vaccine-associated adverse event (VAAE) rates were low, young adult neutered cats that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at the greatest risk of a VAAE within 30 days after vaccination. Veterinarians should incorporate these findings into risk communications and limit the number of vaccinations administered concurrently to cats.

>> PubMed Abstract

For more information:
American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners 2006 Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report

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Feline Asthma: A New Treatment Approach

Winn funded research

Reinero, C. R., L. A. Cohn, et al. (2008). "Adjuvanted rush immunotherapy using CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in experimental feline allergic asthma." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 121(3-4): 241-50.

Asthma is one of the most common types of lung disease in cats, and can be debilitating or occasionally fatal. There is no cure for this disease, and treatment often relies on high doses of steroids given for the remainder of the cat's life. Some cats become refractory to the effects of steroids and can develop life-threatening asthma attacks. In humans with life threatening allergies, a treatment option called rush immunotherapy (RIT) may be employed to attempt to quickly desensitize the patient to the allergen.

>> PubMed Abstract

For more information:
Feline Asthma

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