Demographics of Cats in the U.S.

Chu, K., W. M. Anderson, et al. (2009). "Population characteristics and neuter status of cats living in households in the United States." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234(8): 1023-1030.

The objective of this study was to document the neuter status and identify demographic characteristics of cats living in the United States using a cross-sectional, random-digit-dial telephone survey. During April and May of 2007, 1205 adults in the continental U.S. were contacted. About 32% of the respondents had at least one cat at the time of the survey, yielding an estimated population of over 82 million cats living in about 37 million U.S. households. Eighty percent of the cats were reported as neutered. Of the female cats, about 82% had been neutered before having any litters. Annual family income was the strongest predictor of whether cats in the household were neutered, with only 51% of cats in households with annual family incomes less than $35,000 being neutered. This study did not attempt to gather data on stray and feral cats which represent an important part of the U.S. cat population. [SL]
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Related articles:
Murray, J. K., M. A. Roberts, et al. (2009). "Survey of the characteristics of cats owned by households in the UK and factors affecting their neutered status." Vet Rec 164(5): 137-41.
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Levy, J. K., J. E. Woods, et al. (2003). "Number of unowned free-roaming cats in a college community in the southern United States and characteristics of community residents who feed them." J Am Vet Med Assoc 223(2): 202-5.
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Glucocorticoids and Cats

Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Glucocorticoids in the cat." Vet Dermatol 19(6): 340-7.

Some of the most common drugs prescribed in veterinary practice are glucocorticoids, due to their variety of therapeutic effects. Cats do not experience as many adverse effects with glucocorticoids as other species, such as humans and dogs. However, cats can experience adverse reactions, including skin atrophy and fragility, poor wound healing, and a predisposition to diabetes mellitus and possibly congestive heart failure. Steroid hepatopathy is less likely to occur in cats or is less detectable than in dogs. Prednisolone is the metabolically active drug preferred in cats. Studies have shown that time of day dosing is probably not as important in cats as in other species. Use of short to intermediate-acting glucocorticoids is preferable in case of adverse effects and the need for discontinuance of therapy. Use of repositrol glucocorticoids (such as methylprednisolone) should be reserved for situations where oral dosing is not possible. Care should be given to the use of glucocorticoids in cats at risk for diabetes mellitus or with pre-existing heart disease. [VT]
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Related articles:
Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Clinical, clinicopathological and histological changes observed in 14 cats treated with glucocorticoids." Vet Rec 162(24): 777-83.
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Nasal Lymphoma in Cats

Haney, S. M., L. Beaver, et al. (2009). "Survival analysis of 97 cats with nasal lymphoma: a multi-institutional retrospective study (1986-2006)." J Vet Intern Med 23(2): 287-294.

While lymphoma is one of the most common cancer types affecting cats, nasal lymphoma is relatively rare. This retrospective study examined survival times in cats given different therapies, and evaluated response to treatment, duration of response, and prognostic factors. Records of 97 cats from various veterinary centers in the United States diagnosed with nasal lymphoma were analyzed. Two methods of survival analysis were used. In the first method, only deaths caused by progressive lymphoma were counted. The median survival time for these cats, regardless of treatment modality, was 536 days. In the second method, all deaths regardless of cause were counted. The median survival time for these cats was 172 days. There were no statistical differences in survival times based on treatment modality (radiation therapy alone, chemotherapy alone, radiation therapy plus chemotherapy). The results must be interpreted with caution, as many confounding variables were present. The investigators did note that inclusion of radiation therapy was critical to controlling the disease at the site (nasal cavity), and a higher dose of radiation may increase survival time. Anemia appeared to be an indicator of poor prognosis. [MK]
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Related articles:
Little, L., R. Patel, et al. (2007). "Nasal and nasopharyngeal lymphoma in cats: 50 cases (1989-2005)." Vet Pathol 44(6): 885-92.
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Sfiligoi, G., A. P. Theon, et al. (2007). "Response of nineteen cats with nasal lymphoma to radiation therapy and chemotherapy." Vet Radiol Ultrasound 48(4): 388-93.
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Intestinal Intussusception in Cats

Burkitt, J. M., K. J. Drobatz, et al. (2009). "Signalment, history, and outcome of cats with gastrointestinal tract intussusception: 20 cases (1986-2000)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(6): 771-6.

The medical records of 20 cats were evaluated for a retrospective study of gastrointestinal intussusception. The diagnosis for intussusception was confirmed either by surgical exploration or on necropsy. Ten of the cats were less than 1 year of age, 9 were six years of age or older, and the remaining cat was 2 years of age. The most common reasons for presentation were anorexia (14/17), lethargy (12/17), and vomiting (12/17). Fourteen cats had reported medical conditions in the preceding 30 days. The major physical examination findings were dehydration, poor body condition, signs of abdominal pain, and an abdominal mass. While abdominal radiographs were useful in indicating the presence of a possible intestinal obstruction, abdominal ultrasonography appears the most accurate pre-surgical method for diagnosis of intussusception in cats. Thirteen of the cats underwent surgical exploration, with manual reduction alone performed in 2 cats and resection with anastomosis performed in 11 cats. Twelve of the 20 cats had an enteroenteric intussusception, predominantly jejuno-jejunal, and 8 had an entero-colic intussusception. Histologic examination of the tissue indicated that young cats may be more likely to have idiopathic intussusception, and older cats may be more likely to have primary gastrointestinal disease such as lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease [VT].
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Related articles:
Patsikas, M., L. Papazoglou, et al. (2003). "Ultrasonographic findings of intestinal intussusception in seven cats." J Fel Med Surg 5(6): 335-343.
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Doherty, D., E. Welsh, et al. (2000). "Intestinal intussusception in five postparturient queens." Vet Rec 146(21): 614-616.
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Feline Diabetes & Dry Food Diets

Slingerland, L. I., V. V. Fazilova, et al. (2009). "Indoor confinement and physical inactivity rather than the proportion of dry food are risk factors in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitus." Vet J 179(2): 247-253.

Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands used a telephone questionnaire to investigate risk factors for development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in cats. Commercially produced dry diets are relatively high in carbohydrates especially as compared to canned food diets and the investigators hypothesized that dry food may be a risk factor for development of DM. In addition, physical activity, which is known to influence development of DM in humans, was evaluated. Owners of 96 cats diagnosed with DM from 28 clinics throughout the Netherlands were questioned. These were matched with owners of 192 healthy control cats. The association between questionnaire-derived factors and development of DM was analyzed. The researchers found that the proportion of dry food in the diet did not appear to be an independent factor for DM development, but physical inactivity and indoor confinement were. [MK]
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Related articles:
Bennett, N., D. Greco, et al. (2006). "Comparison of a low carbohydrate-low fiber diet and a moderate carbohydrate-high fiber diet in the management of feline diabetes mellitus." J Fel Med Surg 8(2): 73-84.
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Martin, G. and J. Rand (1999). "Food intake and blood glucose in normal and diabetic cats fed ad libitum." J Fel Med Surg 1(4): 241.
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Rickets in Cats

Geisen, V., K. Weber, et al. (2009). "Vitamin D-Dependent Hereditary Rickets Type I in a Cat." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23(1): 196-199.

A 5-month-old female domestic short hair cat was examined for a short history of generalized pain. The cat weighed 1.8 kg and had a sibling in the household that was healthy and weighed 2.6 kg. The cat was increasingly reluctant to move and had also developed constipation. Radiographs indicated reduced skeletal mineralization. A serum biochemistry profile indicated such abnormalities as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, plus elevated alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase values. Hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and skeletal abnormalities are indicative of rickets. Rickets can develop after prolonged feeding of a diet deficient in calcium or vitamin D. Cats cannot synthesize vitamin D in the skin so sunlight does not contribute to their vitamin D supply. A board certified nutritionist analyzed the diet fed to both cats and determined it was not deficient. Parathyroid hormone was measured and found to be high. Calcium gluconate and a vitamin D metabolite (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) were started as a therapeutic regimen. Radiographs were taken 4 months after starting treatment and bone structure, while still abnormal, showed marked improvement. Vitamin D-dependent rickets Type I (VDDRI) is caused by a defect in the gene encoding the enzyme 25-hyproxyvitamin D-1-alpha hydroxylase (CYP27B1). This is an autosomal recessive disorder. The affected cat had genetic sequencing performed and two mutations were found that affect the CYP27B1 transcript. These results along with the clinical findings of rickets and hyperparathyroidism confirmed a case of VDDR1. The patient was continued on oral 1,25dihydroxycholecalciferol to maintain calcium homeostasis and will need to be continued lifelong with frequent rechecks of serum calcium concentrations. [VT]
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Related articles:
Godfrey, D. R., R. M. Anderson, et al. (2005). "Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II in a cat." J Small Anim Pract 46(9): 440-4.
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Tanner, E. and S. Langley-Hobbs (2005). "Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2 with characteristic radiographic changes in a 4-month-old kitten." J Fel Med Surg 7(5): 307-311.
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Immunity and Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Giordano, A. and S. Paltrinieri (2009). "Interferon-gamma in the serum and effusions of cats with feline coronavirus infection." Vet J 180(3): 396-8.

Investigators from the University of Milan studied and compared the quantity of interferon-gamma concentrations in the serum of clinically normal cats infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV) with the concentrations in the sera and effusions of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease associated with infection with a mutated form of FCoV. Interferon-gamma is a cytokine and an important modulator of cell mediated immunity. Cats with strong cell mediated immunity (CMI) either do not become infected with FCoV or develop the non-effusive form of FIP. Investigators divided cases into two major groups: Group A included cats with clinical FIP and Group B included FCoV infected clinically normal animals. Group A was further subdivided into two groups, those with non-effusive FIP (A1) and effusive FIP (A2). Group B was also subdivided into 2 groups where subgroup B1 included cats from catteries with a high prevalence of FIP and group B2 included cats from catteries with a low prevalence of FIP. Clinically normal FCoV-infected cats from catteries with a high prevalence of FIP had the highest level of serum interferon-gamma. The serum concentration of interferon-gamma was not significantly different in cats with FIP and the clinically normal FCoV-infected cats from catteries with a low prevalence of FIP. The effusions from cats with FIP had a significantly higher level (40 fold) of interferon-gamma than the serum in these cats. This suggests that cells within FIP lesions produce the interferon-gamma present in effusions. The investigators believe the results indicate that CMI is also likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of FIP, and interferon-gamma prevents the onset of FIP in some instances and could contribute to development of disease in others. [VT]
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Related articles:
Kipar, A., M. L. Meli, et al. (2006). "Natural feline coronavirus infection: differences in cytokine patterns in association with the outcome of infection." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 112(3-4): 141-55.
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Paltrinieri, S., C. Metzger, et al. (2007). "Serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) concentration in non-symptomatic cats with feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection." J Feline Med Surg 9(4): 271-7.
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Cats and Toxoplasmosis

Malmasi, A., B. Mosallanejad, et al. (2009). "Prevention of shedding and re-shedding of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in experimentally infected cats treated with oral clindamycin: a preliminary study." Zoonoses Public Health 56(2): 102-4.

Researchers from the University of Tehran investigated the effect of oral clindamycin on shedding of Toxoplasma organisms in infected cats. Toxoplasma gondii is an important protozoal parasite that infects many mammalian species, including cats and humans. Infected cats shed millions of oocysts, which can then infect contact animals, including humans, with potentially serious consequences. While numbers of animals evaluated in this study were small (twelve infected cats, six treated, and six untreated), and clindamycin administration was given for 24 days beginning 3 days prior to and continuing through 3 weeks post-infection (this timing would not likely occur in natural infections), shedding did not occur in the treated cats. In contrast, treated cats shed for over one week. Following immunosuppression through administration of dexamethasone 45 days post-infection, the previously-treated cats again demonstrated no shedding of the organism in contrast to non-treated cats. Giving clindamycin prophylactically to cats made them oocyst-free and as long as they were receiving the medication, and they did not shed oocysts even under severe immunosuppression. This study is a model for future studies with larger groups. [MK]
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Related articles:
Lloyd, S. and J. Smith (2001). "Activity of toltrazuril and diclazuril against Isospora species in kittens and puppies." Vet Rec 148(16): 509-11.

Vollaire, M., S. Radecki, et al. (2005). "Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in clinically ill cats in the United States." Am J Vet Res 66(5): 874-877.
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Probiotics for Cats

Wynn, S. G. (2009). "Probiotics in veterinary practice." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234(5): 606-613.

The definition of a probiotic is one of several “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Probiotics have luminal and mucosal effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ of the body. Mucosal effects would include interactions with immune cells and enterocytes. Luminal effects include chemical changes in ingesta and mucus as a result of the probiotic activity. Cats and dogs have high numbers of bacteria in the proximal portion of the gastrointestinal tract, more so than seen in humans. Cat feces contain high number of anaerobic bacteria, so the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus has been evaluated in the cat. The use of probiotics clearly seems to enhance immune function in cats and seems to have a role in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea). Other clinical effects are still being considered. However, probiotic products have a large variation in quality control and the safety factor is still being evaluated. [VT]
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Related articles:
Weese, J. S. (2002). "Microbiologic evaluation of commercial probiotics." J Am Vet Med Assoc 220(6): 794-7.
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Weese, J. S. (2003). "Evaluation of deficiencies in labeling of commercial probiotics." Can Vet J 44(12): 982-3.
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