Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Cats

Bexfield, N. H., A. J. Stell, et al. (2008). "Photodynamic Therapy of Superficial Nasal Planum Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Cats: 55 Cases." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 22(6): 1385-1389.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin tumour found in cats. It often affects areas that are non-pigmented and with little hair, such as the nose, eyelids, and ears. Conventional therapies for SCC include surgery and radiation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer therapy that uses visible light to activate photosensitizer agents that localize in the target tissue. The photosensitizing agent 5-ALA can be administered topically, and has previously been evaluated for feline cancer therapy in a small study. Fifty-five cats with SCC of the nose referred to the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital (University of Cambridge, UK) were enrolled in the prospective study. The 5-ALA cream was applied topically every 30 minutes for a period of 6-8 hours. The cats were lightly sedated and medicated for pain, and all wore an Elizabethan collar. Illumination of the lesions was performed with light emitting diodes while the patients were under general anesthesia. Cats were reassessed one month after PDT. Outcomes were defined as complete response, partial response, or no response. Ninety-six percent of the cats responded to therapy, with 85% having a complete response. However, there was a recurrence rate of 51% at a median interval of 157 days. Although PDT does not lead to a complete remission in all SCC cases, it has the benefit of being safe, well tolerated, and cosmetically acceptable.
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Related articles:
Hammond, G. M., I. K. Gordon, et al. (2007). "Evaluation of strontium Sr 90 for the treatment of superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in cats: 49 cases (1990-2006)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(5): 736-41.
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Oxyglobin Use in Cats

Weingart, C. and B. Kohn (2008). "Clinical use of a haemoglobin-based oxygen carrying solution (Oxyglobin®) in 48 cats (2002-2006)." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(5): 431-438.

Blood transfusions are an important component of critical care for anemia in cats, and may be required for various reasons, such as hemolysis or blood loss. While safe and effective, blood transfusions are labour-intensive, requiring typing and cross-matching of donor and recipient. Oxyglobin® (Biopure Corp) is a chemically stabilized hemoglobin in a balanced salt solution intended for intravenous use. It is licensed for treatment of anemia in dogs. Administration of Oxyglobin is less time-consuming than blood transfusion, and the solution can be stored for years, unlike blood products. There is minimal risk of transmission of infectious diseases. While numerous studies have been published on the use of Oxyglobin in dogs, there is little in the veterinary literature regarding the use of the product in cats. The objective of this study was to evaluate Oxyglobin infusions administered to cats between November 2002 and December 2006 at the Clinic for Small Animals of the Free University of Berlin regarding indication, number of infusions, infusion volume, side effects, and survival rate. During the study period, 48 cats received 65 Oxyglobin transfusions. Administration of Oxyglobin efficiently increased the hemoglobin concentration in the majority of tranfusions. However, severe side effects were noted in seven cats with cardiac disease, such as pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, and respiratory distress. Four of the seven cats received whole blood transfusions on the same day; five cats died and one was euthanized. Overall 24-hour survival rate was 77%. The researchers concluded that Oxyglobin is efficient and safe for treatment of anemia in cats, but the volume and rate of the infusion have to be carefully adjusted to the patient. Oxyglobin should be given very cautiously to cats with cardiac (or respiratory) diseases.
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Related articles:
Callan, M. B. and V. T. Rentko (2003). "Clinical application of a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 33(6): 1277-93, vi.
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Gibson, G., M. Callan, et al. (2002). "Use of a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution in cats: 72 cases (1998-2000)." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 221(1): 96-102.
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Feline Heartworm: Life Expectancy

Genchi, C., L. Venco, et al. (2008). "Feline heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection: A statistical elaboration of the duration of the infection and life expectancy in asymptomatic cats." Vet Parasitol 158(3): 177-182.

Heartworm disease in the cat is caused by the nematode parasite, Dirofilaria immitis. Clinical signs in affected cats range from asymptomatic infections to chronic lower respiratory tract signs and chronic vomiting. Acute death without premonitory signs may also occur. This study, conducted in Italy, aimed to assess the duration and the outcome (self-cure or death) of feline heartworm infection and the life expectancy of infected cats. Of 43 asymptomatic cats included in the study, 34 (79%) self-cured and 9 (21%) died. Eleven (26%) cats remained asymptomatic and self cured within 21–48 months, 23 (53%) showed symptoms but self-cured within 18–49 months, 6 (14%) died within 8–41 months of follow-up and 3 (7%) suddenly died after 38–40 months. The probability for death increased significantly with age at diagnosis, but no difference was detected by gender, survival time after diagnosis, or the presence or absence of clinical signs. The results of this study indicate that cats with heartworm infection may live longer than cats with other common diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or chronic renal failure.
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Related articles:
Litster, A. L. and R. B. Atwell (2008). "Feline heartworm disease: a clinical review." J Feline Med Surg 10(2): 137-44.
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Lorentzen, L. and A. E. Caola (2008). "Incidence of positive heartworm antibody and antigen tests at IDEXX Laboratories: Trends and potential impact on feline heartworm awareness and prevention." Vet Parasitol 158(3): 183-190.
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Endoscopy for Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Disease in Cats

Willard, M. D., J. Mansell, et al. (2008). "Effect of sample quality on the sensitivity of endoscopic biopsy for detecting gastric and duodenal lesions in dogs and cats." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 22(5): 1084-1089.

A common diagnostic procedure for assessment of chronic gastrointestinal disease in cats is endoscopy with biopsies of gastrointestinal mucosa. Previous studies have highlighted the difficulty in obtaining quality biopsy samples via endoscopy. In this study, the researchers attempted to address two issues: whether the ability to demonstrate a histologic lesion in the stomach or duodenum is affected by sample quality, and whether more samples are needed to find a lesion when tissue specimens are of poor quality. The researchers evaluated tissues obtained via endoscopy from 51 cats (and 99 dogs) that were examined as clinical cases at 8 veterinary institutions or practices in 5 different countries. The results showed that the quality of endoscopically obtained tissue samples has a profound effect on their sensitivity for identifying certain lesions, and there are differences between biopsies of canine and feline tissues. Multiple samples need to be taken to ensure that a sufficient number of adequate tissue samples are obtained during endoscopic procedures. The old assumption that a single adequate biopsy sample is sufficient for diagnosis was shown to be incorrect. The study suggests that a goal of obtaining 6 marginal or adequate feline duodenal or gastric samples will be sufficient to give 99% confidence of finding any lesions present.
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Related articles:
Day, M. J., T. Bilzer, et al. (2008). "Histopathological standards for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal inflammation in endoscopic biopsy samples from the dog and cat: a report from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Gastrointestinal Standardization Group." J Comp Pathol 138 Suppl 1: S1-43.
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Evans, S. E., J. J. Bonczynski, et al. (2006). "Comparison of endoscopic and full-thickness biopsy specimens for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and alimentary tract lymphoma in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 229(9): 1447-50.
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