Pradofloxacin for Feline Infectious Anemia

Dowers, K. L., S. Tasker, et al. (2009). "Use of pradofloxacin to treat experimentally induced Mycoplasma hemofelis infection in cats." Am J Vet Res 70(1): 105-11.

Mycoplasma hemofelis, formerly known as Hemobartonella felis, is the causative agent of feline infectious anemia. The bacterium is spread through flea bites and causes hemolytic anemia that may result in the death of infected cats. It is believed that most infected cats do not clear the organisms even with appropriate antimicrobial treatment, which most commonly is doxycycline. Pradofloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic for veterinary use that appears to have increased effectiveness against many bacteria. In this study, treatment of cats infected with M. hemofelis with doxycycline was compared to low and high doses of pradofloxacin. All treatment regimens were equally effective in improving the clinical condition and blood parameters of infected cats. When assessed by molecular detection for clearance of the organism, both low and high dose pradofloxacin were effective, while none of the doxycycline-treated animals completely cleared detectable organisms. The authors concluded that pradofloxacin not only had anti-M. hemofelis effects, it may be more effective at long term M. hemofelis organism clearance than doxycycline.
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Related articles:
Willi, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2007). "From Haemobartonella to hemoplasma: Molecular methods provide new insights." Vet Microbiol 125(3-4): 197-209.
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Ishak, A. M., K. L. Dowers, et al. (2008). "Marbofloxacin for the treatment of experimentally induced Mycoplasma haemofelis infection in cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(2): 288-92.
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Pathogenicity of Feline Cytauxzoonosis

Brown, H. M., R. D. Berghaus, et al. (2009). "Genetic variability of Cytauxzoon felis from 88 infected domestic cats in Arkansas and Georgia." J Vet Diagn Invest 21(1): 59-63.

Cytauxzoonosis is a highly fatal tick-borne disease of cats, both exotic and domestic. The causative organism, Cytauxzoon felis, is a relatively new pathogen to the USA. It occurs in the south-central, southeastern, and mid-Atlantic regions. Bobcats are believed to be the natural reservoir, and when domestic cats become infected, a rapid disease course ending in death usually occurs. Recently, cases of survival have been documented in domestic cats. This may be due to different strains of the organism. To investigate this possibility, genetic analysis was done on a total of 88 C. felis isolates from cats in Arkansas and Georgia, 44 of which were from cats that survived infection. This analysis identified three unique parasite genotypes, one of which was associated with survival, referred to as genotype ITSA. Thus, there were genetic differences identified that were associated with outcome of infection.
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Related articles:
Brown, H. M., K. S. Latimer, et al. (2008). "Detection of persistent Cytauxzoon felis infection by polymerase chain reaction in three asymptomatic domestic cats." J Vet Diagn Invest 20(4): 485-8.
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Haber, M. D., M. D. Tucker, et al. (2007). "The detection of Cytauxzoon felis in apparently healthy free-roaming cats in the USA." Vet Parasitol 146(3-4): 316-20.
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Treatment of Feline Herpesvirus

Malik R, Lessels NS, Webb S, et al. Treatment of feline herpesvirus-1 associated disease in cats with famciclovir and related drugs. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(1):40-48.

Herpesvirus is the most common cause of ocular and upper respiratory disease in the cat, but is also associated with other clinical presentations such as dermatitis and pneumonia. Systemic antiviral treatment for feline herpesvirus has been problematic. First generation nucleoside analogues such as acyclovir have little clinical efficacy and significant adverse effects in cats. Famciclovir (Famvir, Novartis) is a newer drug that is often used by veterinary ophthalmologist and appears to be well tolerated by cats. This article details oral famciclovir treatment of 10 cats with presumptive herpesvirus infection as a cause of ocular disease, rhinosinusitis, and dermatitis. Famciclovir doses ranged from 62.5 mg/cat once or twice daily, up to 125 mg/cat three times daily. In all cases, the drug was well tolerated and caused clinical improvement. These and other reports support the use of famciclovir as anti-herpesvirus therapy in cats. Further research should be conducted to determine the optimal dose, dosing interval, and duration of treatment.
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Related articles:
Thomasy SM, Maggs DJ, Moulin NK, Stanley SD. Pharmacokinetics and safety of penciclovir following oral administration of famciclovir to cats. Am J Vet Res. Nov 2007;68(11):1252-1258.
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Diabetes & pancreatitis in cats

Forcada Y, German AJ, Noble PJ, et al. Determination of serum fPLI concentrations in cats with diabetes mellitus. J Feline Med Surg. Oct 2008;10(5):480-487.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the primary endocrine diseases of cats. Pancreatitis is suspected of being one of the main causes for poor control of DM in cats, yet no one knows how frequently this may occur. There are no prior reports indicating the prevalence of pancreatitis in live diabetic cats. In recent years, a test determining serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) has been evaluated as a possible test for pancreatitis. Researchers in this study compared samples from 29 diabetic cats and 23 non-diabetic cats for measurement of fPLI concentrations to serum fructosamine levels and clinical signs. The study had three aims. The first was to determine if fPLI concentrations were higher in cats with DM. The second was to see if serum fPLI levels could be linked to diabetic control, and last, to determine if these cats had any specific clinical signs of pancreatitis.
Researchers found the median fPLI concentrations were significantly higher in the diabetic patients than the median concentrations in the non-diabetic cats. This would suggest that pancreatic inflammation is likely more prevalent in diabetic cats than non-diabetic cats. Unfortunately, a limitation of the study is that the finding of increased fPLI levels implies but does not confirm the presence of pancreatitis. Since this was a retrospective study, the investigators were unable to support a diagnosis of pancreatitis by utilization of pancreatic histopathology or abdominal ultrasonography. The median serum fructosamine values were also found to be significantly higher in the diabetic cats than the non-diabetic cats. However, there was no clear association between serum fructosamine concentrations and the clinical judgment of diabetic control by the referring veterinarian. This study indicates that pancreatitis could be a major complicating factor in a percentage of diabetic cats, even those cases that appear to be under good control based on serum fructosamine concentration. Further studies are indicated to determine how pancreatitis influences the control, progression, and management of DM and how DM and other major diseases affect fPLI concentrations.
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Related articles:
Forman MA, Marks SL, De Cock HE, et al. Evaluation of serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity and helical computed tomography versus conventional testing for the diagnosis of feline pancreatitis. J Vet Intern Med. Nov-Dec 2004;18(6):807-815.
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Steiner JM, Wilson BG, Williams DA. Development and analytical validation of a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in serum. Can J Vet Res. Oct 2004;68(4):309-314.
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Cats and Permethrin Toxicity

Dymond NL, Swift IM. Permethrin toxicity in cats: a retrospective study of 20 cases. Aust Vet J. Jun 2008;86(6):219-223.

Researchers in Australia completed a retrospective study of 20 cases of permethrin toxicity in cats. The cats were presented to an emergency clinic in Brisbane, Australia from October 2004 to June 2005. Permethrin is present in many topical flea control products used for small animals. Cats are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of permethrin, which occurs when cats are accidentally exposed to products made for use on dogs. The history of recent exposure plus typical clinical signs of permethrin poisoning including tremors, muscle fasciculations, and seizures were the primary means for diagnosis. Treatment included decontamination of the product and patient support with drug therapy to control muscle tremors and seizures. Researchers noted that rapid intervention lead to good outcomes of treatment in 19 of 20 cats. One kitten died when there was a 24-hour delay in treatment. All recovered cats were reported to have no complications when a 4-month follow-up was performed. Education of owners regarding the risks of permethrin use on cats plus clear, appropriate labeling of products to help decrease the number of future cases were the conclusions drawn by the study.
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Related articles:
Sutton NM, Bates N, Campbell A. Clinical effects and outcome of feline permethrin spot-on poisonings reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), London. J Feline Med Surg. Aug 2007;9(4):335-339.
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Linnett PJ. Permethrin toxicosis in cats. Aust Vet J. Jan-Feb 2008;86(1-2):32-35.
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Injection-Site Sarcomas

Shaw SC, Kent MS, Gordon IK, et al. Temporal changes in characteristics of injection-site sarcomas in cats: 392 cases (1990-2006). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2009;234(3):376-380.

A proposed association between vaccinations and tumor formation in cats was first discussed in 1991. Studies since that time have supported a link between injections and the development of sarcomas. Fibrosarcomas are highly invasive and about 1/4 will metastasize. Radical surgery in combination with radiation therapy is required to control these tumors. In 1996, the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF) was formed to identify methods to prevent and treat these tumors. One recommendation was to administer vaccinations to cats in standardized sites, avoiding the interscapular area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in anatomic location and histologic classification of injection-site sarcomas, as well as signalment of affected cats before and after publication of the VAFSTF recommendations. In this retrospective case series, medical records of 392 cats with a diagnosis of sarcoma at a potential injection site were examined. From before to after the publication of the VAFSTF recommendations, the proportions of injection site-sarcomas significantly decreased in the interscapular and thoracic regions. However, proportions of the tumors in other locations significantly increased. Despite the recommendations, a high proportion of tumors still developed in the interscapular region. The researchers concluded that veterinarians are complying with the recommendations to some extent, but should ensure vaccinations are administered as distally as possible on a limb to allow for complete surgical excision should a tumor develop.
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Related articles:
Romanelli G, Marconato L, Olivero D, Massari F, Zini E. Analysis of prognostic factors associated with injection-site sarcomas in cats: 57 cases (2001-2007). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Apr 15;232(8):1193-9.
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Dog and Cat Relationships

Feuerstein N, Terkel J. Interrelationships of dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus L.) living under the same roof Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2008;113(1-3):150-165.

In the process of domestication, both dogs and cats have undergone genetic changes to adapt to living with humans. However, concerns over the ability of the two species to communicate are based on their separate evolutionary development and their different social structures. In this study, the interrelationships of dogs and cats living together were studied by means of a questionnaire and by direct observation of dog-cat interactions. The study found that dogs and cats have the ability to establish amicable relationships, and the ability is not based on the animal's gender. Adoption of the cat prior to the dog appeared to be conducive to establishing an amicable relationship. It is also helpful if the first encounter takes place before the age of 6 months in cats and 1 year in dogs.
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Related articles:
Marder A, Duxbury MM. Obtaining a pet: realistic expectations. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. Sep 2008;38(5):1145-1162, viii.
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