Comparison of 3 methods of onychectomy

The frequency of claw regrowth, bony remnants, and complications in cats that underwent forelimb onychectomy using laser, scalpel, or guillotine techniques were evaluated. Eighty-seven client-owned cats were recruited from 27 veterinary clinics in the Canadian Atlantic provinces. At least 1 year after onychectomy the cats underwent a physical examination, gait analysis, and radiographic evaluation by 1 of 2 authors. There was no significant difference in the frequency of claw regrowth among the 3 methods (P = 0.283). Significantly more cats had bony remnants following guillotine onychectomy (P < 0.001). Bony remnants were significantly associated with claw regrowth (P = 0.001). Cats that underwent laser onychectomy had significantly less post-operative complications (P = 0.023). The long-term outcome was not significantly different among the 3 methods. We conclude that leaving remnants of the third phalanx in situ is associated with an increased frequency of claw regrowth. Laser onychectomy may be preferred to reduce the risk of post-operative complications, bony remnants, and claw regrowth.     

Attitudes of owners regarding tendonectomy and onychectomy in cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of behavior problems following tendonectomy or onychectomy in cats, as well as attitudes of owners following these procedures. DESIGN: Nonrandomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: 18 cats that underwent tendonectomy and 39 cats that underwent onychectomy. PROCEDURE: Owners of cats that underwent tendonectomy or onychectomy between February 1993 and May 1998 were contacted by telephone and asked several questions regarding reasons for surgery as well as complications and behavioral changes in cats following surgery. RESULTS: The most common reason for considering tendonectomy or onychectomy was to avoid damage caused by the cat scratching household materials. Avoidance of injury to humans or animals was chosen more often by owners whose cats underwent onychectomy than those that underwent tendonectomy. Tendonectomy was more likely to have been recommended by veterinarians than onychectomy. Significantly more cats that underwent tendonectomy (67%) than onychectomy (44%) returned to normal activity within 3 days after surgery. Significant differences were not detected regarding behavior problems after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although tendonectomy and onychectomy involved some medical complications and behavior changes following surgery, owners had positive attitudes regarding both surgeries after the immediate postoperative period. Tendonectomy may be a humane alternative to onychectomy, although owners need to be advised that nail trimming is still necessary in cats after surgery.     

Correlation between metabolomic profile constituents and feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity

BackgroundFeline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) is commonly used to diagnose pancreatitis in cats (FP). Untargeted metabolomics has been extensively applied in human and veterinary medicine, but no metabolomic studies regarding FP have been conducted.ObjectivesTo identify metabolites significantly associated with increased fPLI.AnimalsForty‐nine client‐owned cats: 11 clinically healthy and 38 with various clinical conditions.MethodsAnalytical cross‐sectional study with convenience sampling. A panel of 630 metabolites belonging to 26 biochemical classes was quantified in plasma using a commercial metabolomic assay. The correlation between plasma metabolite concentrations and serum fPLI was evaluated using Spearman''s rank correlation coefficient (R _s) with Bonferroni correction. Multivariable analysis then was performed to control for glomerular filtration rate, liver damage, and blood glucose concentration. The accuracy of selected metabolites in discriminating between cats with normal (≤3.5 μg/L) and increased (>5.3 μg/L) fPLI was estimated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).ResultsFour hundred and seven of 630 metabolites (64.6%) were quantified in all cats. When controlled for potential confounders only 3 sphingolipids were significantly positively correlated with fPLI: 2 cerebrosides: HexCer(d18:1/24:0); (R _s = .56), and HexCer(d18:1/24:1); (R _s = .58) and 1 sphingomyelin: SM C18:0 (R _s = .55). Their AUROCs in identifying cats with increased fPLI were 82% (95% confidence interval [CI 95%], 70%‐94%), 84% (CI 95%, 72%‐96%), and 78% (CI 95%, 65%‐92%), respectively.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSelected sphingolipids are moderately positively correlated with fPLI and appear to have fair to moderate diagnostic accuracy in discriminating between cats with normal and increased fPLI.     

Evaluation of cat and owner characteristics and their relationships to outdoor access of owned cats

OBJECTIVE: To examine characteristics of cats and their owners with regard to outdoor access of owned cats. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 184 owned cats admitted to a veterinary referral center for nonemergency health concerns. RESULTS: Cats acquired recently were less likely to be allowed outdoors than those acquired during previous years. Outdoor access was often limited during the day; few owners allowed their cats to remain outdoors at night. Cats acquired from shelters were more likely to be kept exclusively as indoor pets than those cats acquired as strays. The presence of dogs but not other cats in the household was associated with increased outdoor access. Age, health status, and onychectomy status were not significantly associated with outdoor access. Cats allowed outdoor access were more likely to have been bitten by other cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The basis for an owner's decision to allow outdoor access appears to be multifactorial, and there may be regional differences in outdoor access of owned cats. Acquisition source is associated with outdoor access of owned cats. Availability of information regarding outdoor access of cats may influence decision making. Educational efforts targeted at specific groups of cat owners, as well as programs that acknowledge owner beliefs regarding quality of life for their cats, may help to address the health, safety, and population concerns associated with outdoor access of owned cats.     

Evaluation of signs of postoperative pain and complications after forelimb onychectomy in cats receiving buprenorphine alone or with bupivacaine administered as a four-point regional nerve block

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate signs of postoperative pain and complications after forelimb onychectomy in cats receiving buprenorphine alone or with bupivacaine administered as a 4-point regional nerve block. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. ANIMALS: 20 cats. PROCEDURE: All cats received buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg [0.004 mg/lb], IM) preoperatively. One forelimb of each cat also received bupivacaine (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb] of a 0.75% solution) administered as a 4-point regional nerve block. After onychectomy, discomfort (lameness, foot reaction, and pain) scores were evaluated by 2 experienced observers 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 168 hours postoperatively. Complication (hemorrhage, swelling, and infection) scores were evaluated 24 and 168 hours postoperatively. Surgeries were performed by 1 experienced veterinary surgeon. Rescue analgesia was provided if needed. RESULTS: 6 cats required rescue analgesia postoperatively. There was no difference in discomfort or complication scores between control limbs and limbs in which a nerve block was administered. Additionally, there was no difference in discomfort and complication scores between cats that did or did not require rescue analgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bupivacaine administered as a 4-point regional nerve block in addition to a systemic analgesic did not decrease discomfort or complication scores in cats undergoing forelimb onychectomy.     

Associations between presence of Bartonella species deoxyribonucleic acid and complete blood cell count and serum biochemical changes in client‐owned cats

BackgroundInfection with Bartonella species is common in cats but reported effects of bacteremia on laboratory variables differ.ObjectivesEvaluate for associations between Bartonella bacteremia and CBC and serum biochemical changes in sick and healthy cats throughout the United States.AnimalsA total of 3964 client‐owned cats.MethodsRetrospective cohort study using submissions to a commercial laboratory between 2011 and 2017. Serum biochemistry and CBC abnormalities (categorized as above or below reference intervals), age, and location (high‐ or low‐risk state for Ctenocephalides felis) in presumed healthy and sick cats were evaluated for associations with presence of Bartonella spp. DNA, detected by PCR. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.Results Bartonella spp. DNA was amplified from 127 (3.2%) of 3964 cats; 126 (99.2%) of 127 were from high flea risk states and 121 (95.3%) of 127 were presumed sick. Fever of unknown origin was the most common PCR panel requested. In the multivariable analysis, neutrophilia, decreased ALP activity, clinical status (presumed sick), and young age (≤2 years) each were positively associated whereas neutropenia and hyperproteinemia both were negatively associated with Bartonella spp. bacteremia. Presence of Bartonella spp. DNA had no association with test results for other infectious disease agents.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIn both healthy and sick cats, active Bartonella infections had minimal association with clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities. However, based on these results, in areas considered high risk for C. felis, active infection with Bartonella spp. is a reasonable differential diagnosis for cats presented with unexplained fever and neutrophilia, particularly if the cat is young.     

Feline Onychectomy at a Teaching Institution: A Retrospective Study of 163 Cases

One hundred sixty-three cats underwent onychectomy from January 1985 to November 1992. Onychectomy was performed with guillotine-type nail shears (62%), surgical blade (24.5%), or both (8.6%), and wound closure consisted of bandages alone (61.3%), bandages after suture closure (26.4%), or tissue adhesive application (9.2%). The duration of surgery was significantly longer when onychectomy was performed with a blade or when suture closure was used instead of bandages alone ( P < .05). Fifty percent of the cats had one or more complications immediately after surgery. Early postoperative complications included pain (38.1%), hemorrhage (31.9%), lameness (26.9%), swelling (6.3%), or non-weight-bearing (5.6%), and were observed more frequently after blade onychectomy ( P < .001). Follow-up was available in 121 cats; 19.8% developed complications after release. Late postoperative complications included infection (11.6%), regrowth (7.4%), P2 protrusion (1.7%), palmagrade stance (1.7%), and prolonged, intermittent lameness (0.8%). Late postoperative complications were observed more frequently after shears onychectomy ( P = .018). Use of tissue adhesive was associated with more postoperative lameness ( P < .02) and, when used after shears onychectomy, with more infections ( P = .049).     

Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection and serum antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus in unowned free-roaming cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of FeLV infection and serum antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in unowned free-roaming cats. DESIGN: Cross-sectional serologic survey. ANIMALS: 733 unowned free-roaming cats in Raleigh, NC, and 1,143 unowned free-roaming cats in Gainesville, Fla. RESULTS: In Raleigh, overall prevalence of FeLV infection was 5.3%, and overall seroprevalence for FIV was 2.3%. In Gainesville, overall prevalence of FeLV infection was 3.7%, and overall seroprevalence for FIV was 4.3%. Overall, FeLV prevalence was 4.3%, and seroprevalence for FIV was 3.5%. Prevalence of FeLV infection was not significantly different between males (4.9%) and females (3.8%), although seroprevalence for FIV was significantly higher in male cats (6.3%) than in female cats (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prevalence of FeLV infection and seroprevalence for FIV in unowned free-roaming cats in Raleigh and Gainesville are similar to prevalence rates reported for owned cats in the United States. Male cats are at increased risk for exposure to FIV, compared with female cats.     

Effects of vagal maneuvers on heart rate and Doppler variables of left ventricular filling in healthy cats

BackgroundEvaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastole is clinically important in cats with heart disease. Diastolic dysfunction is a main characteristic of feline cardiomyopathy and is associated with clinical signs and poor outcome. Numerous echocardiographic indices characterizing LV diastole exist, of which Doppler variables of transmitral flow and mitral annular motion are used most often. However, rapid heart rate (HR), a common finding in cats examined in the veterinary hospital environment, may cause summation of flow waves limiting interpretation of diastolic function.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of vagal maneuvers (gentle eyeball pressure and nasal planum massage) on HR and Doppler variables of LV diastolic filling.AnimalsTwenty-four healthy client-owned cats with summated transmitral flow waves at baseline.MethodsProspective observational study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed and Doppler transmitral and mitral annular tissue Doppler velocities recorded both before and during vagal maneuvers. Data were compared using a paired t-test.ResultsApplication of vagal maneuvers temporarily decreased HR in all cats (mean reduction ± SD; 42 ± 22 bpm). The duration of HR reduction (<5 s, 5–10 s, and >10–15 s) was evenly distributed among groups (8 cats in each). Summated Doppler transmitral flow and mitral annular tissue velocity waves were separated during vagal maneuvers in 71% and 72% of cats, respectively. No adverse effects were observed.ConclusionsVagal maneuvers may be utilized as a simple non-pharmacologic tool in the Doppler evaluation of LV diastolic function in healthy cats.     

Occurrence and clinical management of urethral obstruction in male cats under primary veterinary care in the United Kingdom in 2016

BackgroundUrethral obstruction (UO) has a negative effect on welfare of cats.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine incidence, case management, and outcomes of UO in cats in primary‐care practice in the United Kingdom.AnimalsAll male cats under veterinary care within the VetCompass database in 2016.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed. The electronic records of all male cats with a clinical note during the study period were searched for UO cases and were manually reviewed for inclusion. Additional demographic and clinical information were extracted on cases.ResultsFrom the study cohort of 237 825 male cats, there were 1293 incident cases. The estimated UO incidence risk during 2016 was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.51‐0.57). Demographic and clinical data were available for 1108 cases. Antibiotics were administered to 641/1108 (57.9%) cases. Overall repeat catheterization rate was 253/854 (29.6%). Repeat catheterization at 48 hours was less frequent in patients with indwelling catheters (10.1%) vs those that had a catheter placed and then immediately removed (14.8%; P = .04). Death during a UO episode was 329/1108 (29.6%), and 285/329 (88.0%) deaths involved euthanasia.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAntibiotics were commonly prescribed in cats for treatment of UO despite minimal evidence in the clinical records of bacterial cystitis. Repeat catheterization was common and case fatality rate during a UO episode was high. Repeat catheterization within 48 hours of elective removal of a urethral catheter was less common in cats that had previously had indwelling catheters. The majority of cats requiring repeat catheterization survived until the end of the study.     

Evaluation of the practical clinical use of the Horse Grimace Scale translated into French

ObjectiveTo assess the reliability of a French version of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGSfv).Study designProspective, randomized, clinical study.AnimalsThe operated (OP) group included 13 horses undergoing elective surgery. The positive (PC) and negative control (NC) groups included seven colicking horses and eight exercising sport horses, respectively.MethodsPhotographs were extracted from videos of the horses’ heads. Videos were taken before and immediately after surgery in OP, on arrival of the horse in PC, and at rest in their stalls in NC. Pictures were evaluated by three anaesthetists [Diplomates (DIPs)] and four riders (RIDs) using Horse Grimace Scale translated into French (HGSfv) at two points, 2 weeks apart (E1 and E2). Each evaluator gave each image a score (1–3) for six identified facial action units. The scores given by DIPs and RIDs were compared using a Wilcoxon test. Intra- and inter-evaluator reliability were assessed using Spearman correlation tests (r_s) and intra-class coefficients (ICCs), respectively.ResultsRIDs and DIPs gave significantly higher scores in the PC group than in the NC group [RIDsE1PC 5.0 (4.2–9.8) versus RIDsE1NC 2.2 (0.0–6.5), p = 0.02; RIDsE2PC 5.2 (3.2–9.5) versus RIDsE2NC 2.0 (0.2–5.8), p < 0.01; DIPsE1PC 4.0 (1.3–6.3) versus DIPsE1NC 2.2 (1.0–4.7), p = 0.04; DIPsE2PC 2.7 (1.0–6.0) versus DIPsE2NC 1.0 (0.0–2.3), p = 0.03]. Scores given by RID or DIPs 2 weeks apart were highly correlated [r_s (RIDsE1, RIDsE2) r = 0.86, p < 0.0001] and [r_s (DIPsE1, DIPsE2) r = 0.81 p < 0.0001]. The ICC between RIDs and DIPs in E1 and E2 was 0.94 (0.92–0.95) and 0.91 (0.89–0.93), respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of the HGSfv was 94% and 43%, respectively.Conclusions and clinical relevanceUsing the HGSfv, knowledge of horses rather than specialization in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia appears to differentiate horses with visceral pain from those assumed to be pain free.     

Prevalence of Bordetella bronchiseptica in cats attended by a veterinary practice in the Manawatu region

dAims:To determine the prevalence by isolation of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in healthy cats and in cats showing signs of upper respiratory tract (URT) disease attended by a veterinary practice in the Manawatu region.

dMethods: The nasal cavity and oropharynx of 100 cats of mixed sex and age were swabbed and the swabs cultured for B. bronchiseptica. The population of cats surveyed was that attended by the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and included healthy cats, cats with clinical signs of URT disease, cats with a recent history of URT disease, cats from single cat households, cats from multiple-cat households, and cats from a colony.

dResults: Bordetella bronchiseptica was recovered from 7 cats (5 from pharyngeal samples and 2 from nasal samples). Five of the 7 cats appeared to be healthy at the time of sampling, whilst 2 showed clinical signs of URT disease. Six of the 7 culture-positive cats were from a cat colony.The prevalence of B. bronchiseptica in healthy cats sampled was 7% and in cats with URT disease was 8%.

dConclusion: This study confirms that B. bronchiseptica infection is present, but the prevalence of infection is low, in both healthy cats and in cats with URT disease attended by the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. It is unlikely that B. bronchiseptica infection is a frequent cause of feline URT disease of cats in this region.     

P‐67 Characteristics of the 10 most frequent feline skin disease conditions seen in the dermatology clinic at the National Veterinary School of Nantes

Few studies have presented general epidemiologic data in veterinary dermatology. The aim of this study was to analyse feline dermatological cases seen at the National Veterinary School of Nantes. Animals presented to the clinics are systematically examined with a protocol that allows validation in a computerized system. Seventy prospective codified parameters are collected at each visit (habitat, nutrition, lesions and localisation, laboratory procedures, hypothesis/diagnosis). The final diagnosis in dermatology may combine several causes or diseases. The study included 783 cases seen from January 1992 to January 1997. The following results indicate the frequency of primary diagnosis and frequency of association or suspicion, respectively. The ten most frequent dermatoses were: flea infestations (24.1/33.3%), flea bite hypersensitivity (22.3/42.9%), dermatophytoses (9.9/26.2%), Otodectes (11.5/19%), food allergy (2.8/25.2%), miscellaneous hypersensitivities (2.8/10%), atopy (2.4/22.4%), miscellaneous external otitis (2.4/5.6%), superficial pyodermas (1.4/4.7%), and psychogenic alopecia (1.3/4.7%). In total, flea‐associated problems were identified as the primary cause in 46.5% of cases and hypothesized to be associated in 29% of other cases. Feline miliary dermatitis syndrome was seen in 158 cats (20.2%), feline eosinophilic granuloma complex in 76 cats (9.2%), and extensive alopecia in 58 cats (7.4%). Funding: Self‐funded.     

Analgesic efficacy of preoperative administration of meloxicam or butorphanol in onychectomized cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of preemptive administration of meloxicam or butorphanol in cats undergoing onychectomy or onychectomy and neutering. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. ANIMALS: 64 female and 74 male cats that were 4 to 192 months old and weighed 1.09 to 705 kg (2.4 to 15.5 lb). PROCEDURE: Cats received meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb], s.c.) or butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg [0.18 mg/lb], s.c.) 15 minutes after premedication and prior to anesthesia. A single blinded observer measured physiologic variables, assigned analgesia and lameness scores, and withdrew blood samples for each cat at baseline and throughout the 24 hours after surgery. Rescue analgesia (butorphanol, 0.4 mg/kg, i.v. or s.c.) or administration of acepromazine (0.025 to 0.05 mg/kg [0.011 to 0.023 mg/lb], i.v.) was allowed. RESULTS: Meloxicam-treated cats were less lame and had lower pain scores. Cortisol concentration was higher at extubation and lower at 1, 5, and 12 hours in the meloxicam-treated cats. Fewer meloxicam-treated cats required rescue analgesia at 3, 5, 12, and 24 hours after extubation. General impression scores were excellent or good in 75% of meloxicam-treated cats and 44% of butorphanol-treated cats. There was no treatment effect on buccal bleeding time; PCV and BUN concentration decreased in both groups, and glucose concentration decreased in meloxicam-treated cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preoperative administration of meloxicam improved analgesia for 24 hours without clinically relevant adverse effects in cats that underwent onychectomy or onychectomy and neutering and provided safe, extended analgesia, compared with butorphanol.     

Feline immunodeficiency. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

OverviewFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a retrovirus closely related to human immunodeficiency virus. Most felids are susceptible to FIV, but humans are not. Feline immunodeficiency virus is endemic in domestic cat populations worldwide. The virus loses infectivity quickly outside the host and is susceptible to all disinfectants.InfectionFeline immunodeficiency virus is transmitted via bites. The risk of transmission is low in households with socially well-adapted cats. Transmission from mother to kittens may occur, especially if the queen is undergoing an acute infection. Cats with FIV are persistently infected in spite of their ability to mount antibody and cell-mediated immune responses.Disease signsInfected cats generally remain free of clinical signs for several years, and some cats never develop disease, depending on the infecting isolate. Most clinical signs are the consequence of immunodeficiency and secondary infection. Typical manifestations are chronic gingivostomatitis, chronic rhinitis, lymphadenopathy, weight loss and immune-mediated glomerulonephritis.DiagnosisPositive in-practice ELISA results obtained in a low-prevalence or low-risk population should always be confirmed by a laboratory. Western blot is the ‘gold standard’ laboratory test for FIV serology. PCR-based assays vary in performance.Disease managementCats should never be euthanased solely on the basis of an FIV-positive test result. Cats infected with FIV may live as long as uninfected cats, with appropriate management. Asymptomatic FIV-infected cats should be neutered to avoid fighting and virus transmission. Infected cats should receive regular veterinary health checks. They can be housed in the same ward as other patients, but should be kept in individual cages.Vaccination recommendationsAt present, there is no FIV vaccine commercially available in Europe. Potential benefits and risks of vaccinating FIV-infected cats should be assessed on an individual cat basis. Needles and surgical instruments used on FIV-positive cats may transmit the virus to other cats, so strict hygiene is essential.     

Use of pressure platform gait analysis in cats with and without bilateral onychectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in cats that had or had not undergone bilateral forelimb onychectomy. ANIMALS: 26 healthy adult cats. PROCEDURE: Onychectomized cats (n = 13) had undergone surgery more than 6 months prior to the study. The PVF and VI were collected from all limbs of each cat with a 2-m pressure platform walkway. Cats were allowed to walk at a comfortable velocity, and acceleration was restricted to +/- 0.5 m/s2. Five valid trials were recorded for each cat with all trials collected in a single 1-hour session. All forces were normalized to and expressed as a percentage of the cat's body weight. RESULTS: Gait data were successfully collected in all cats. No significant difference was found for PVF or VI between cats that had or had not had onychectomy. Limb loads were greater in forelimbs than hind limbs for all trials. Mean PVF and VI in the forelimbs of cats in the nononychectomy group were 56.41% and 18.85%, respectively. Mean PVF and VI in the hind limbs of cats in the nononychectomy group were 50.22% and 14.56%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gait analysis was successfully performed in cats with a pressure platform walkway. The absence of differences in PVF and VI between the 2 groups of cats suggests that bilateral forelimb onychectomy did not result in altered vertical forces measured more than 6 months after surgery in cats.     

Prevalences of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infections in cats in Sydney

Objective To determine prevalences of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in ‘healthy’ cats that, through acute misadventure or other circumstance, were presented to veterinary practitioners. Prevalences of FeLV and FIV in this population were compared to those in a population of predominantly sick cats. Design and procedures Serum specimens were obtained over a 2-year period from 200 cats oldeer than 1 year of age presented to veterinary clinics for routine procedures, including cat fight injuries or abscesses, vehicular trauma, neutering, dental scaling, vaccination, grooming or boarding. An additional 894 sera were obtained over approximately the same period from specimens submitted by veterinarians to a private clinical pathology laboratory, mainly from sick cats suspected of having immune dysfunction, but including some sera from healthy cats being screened prior to FeLV vaccination. FIV antibody and FeLV antigen were detected in samples using commercial enzyme immunoassays. Results Amongst 200 ‘healthy’ cats, the prevalence of FeLV infection was 0 to 2%, and the prevalence of FIV was 6.5 to 7.5%, depending on the stringency of the criteria used to define positivity. FIV infection was significantly more prevalent in cats which resided in an inner city environment (P = 0.013). Of the 894 serum specimens submitted to the laboratory by practitioners, 11/761 (1.4%) were FeLV positive, while 148/711 (20.8%) were FIV positive. The prevalence of FIV was significantly higher in these predominantly ‘sick’ cats than in cats seen for routine veterinary procedures (P < 0.00001), while there was no difference in the prevalence of FeLV (P = 0.75) Conclusions The prevalence of FeLV and FIV in healthy cats may have been substantially overestimated in some previous Australian surveys. FeLV infection would appear to be a rare cause of disease in Australian cats. The higher prevalence of FIV positivity in sick as opposed to healthy cats infers that FIV infection contributes to the development of disease.     

The time required to achieve endotracheal intubation in dogs: a comparison of veterinary students and qualified veterinary surgeons

ObjectiveTo determine whether final year veterinary students take longer to perform endotracheal intubation than qualified veterinary surgeons.Study designObservational cohort study.AnimalsA total of 38 healthy mesocephalic dogs undergoing general anaesthesia for a clinical purpose unrelated to this study.MethodsTime to successful endotracheal intubation, measured from termination of intravenous induction drug administration to confirmation of endotracheal intubation, was recorded for two groups: final year veterinary students (group S) and qualified veterinary surgeons (group V). Animal age, breed and anaesthetic induction agent were also recorded. Following normality testing the groups were compared for each variable using the Student’s t test or Mann–Whitney U test where appropriate. The level of significance was defined as p < 0.05. Timed data are presented as median and interquartile range.ResultsTime to successful intubation was 54.2 (31.3) seconds in group S and 11.7 (8.5) seconds in group V, the difference being significant (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference between groups for animal age (p = 0.036) but not for breed (p = 0.573) or induction agent (p = 0.239).Conclusionsand clinical relevance Veterinary students take longer to achieve successful endotracheal intubation of anaesthetized healthy dogs compared with qualified veterinary surgeons. To mitigate any additional risk of dogs developing hypoxaemia, it is recommended that a 55 second time limit is set after which the supervisor intervenes and takes over the intubation procedure. Preoxygenation may be used as an additional mitigation strategy.     

Effect of postoperative analgesic protocol on limb function following onychectomy in cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic effects of topical administration of bupivacaine, i.m. administration of butorphanol, and transdermal administration of fentanyl in cats undergoing onychectomy. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 27 healthy adult cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups, and unilateral (left forefoot) onychectomy was performed. Gait analysis was performed before and 1, 2, 3, and 12 days after surgery. All forces were expressed as a percentage of the cat's body weight. RESULTS: On day 2, peak vertical force (PVF) was significantly decreased in cats treated with bupivacaine, compared with cats treated with butorphanol or fentanyl. The ratio of left forelimb PVF to PVF of the other 3 limbs was significantly lower on day 2 in cats treated with bupivacaine than in cats treated with fentanyl. No significant differences in vertical impulse (VI) were found between groups on any day. Values for PVF, VI, and the PVF ratio increased progressively following surgery. However, for all 3 groups, values were still significantly decreased, compared with baseline values, 12 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that limb function following onychectomy is significantly better in cats treated with fentanyl transdermally or butorphanol i.m. than in cats treated with bupivacaine topically. Regardless of the analgesic regimen, limb function was still significantly reduced 12 days after surgery, suggesting that long-term analgesic treatment should be considered for cats undergoing onychectomy. Irrigation of the surgical incisions with bupivacaine prior to wound closure cannot be recommended as the sole method for providing postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy.     

Heart rate and arrhythmia frequency of normal cats compared to cats with asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

ObjectivesTo compare heart rate and arrhythmia frequency and complexity in a normal population of cats to a population of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Animals17 cats with HCM and 15 cats with normal echocardiograms.MethodsResults for echocardiography, electrocardiography, Doppler blood pressure, and 24-h Holter monitoring were compared between groups.ResultsThere was no difference in heart rate between HCM cats and normal cats regardless of modality used. All (17/17) HCM cats had ventricular arrhythmias (geometric mean 124 complexes/24 h) with 82% (14/17) exhibiting complex arrhythmias (couplets, triplets, or ventricular tachycardia). Most (14/15) normal cats had ventricular arrhythmias (geometric mean 4 complexes/24 h), but only 20% (3/15) exhibited complexity. HCM cats had significantly more total ventricular complexes, ventricular premature complexes and accelerated idioventricular rhythm than normal cats (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.01, respectively). Eighty eight percent (15/17) of HCM cats had supraventricular arrhythmias (geometric mean 9 complexes/24 h) with 23% (4/17) exhibiting complexity. Sixty percent (9/15) of normal cats had supraventricular arrhythmias (geometric mean 1 complex/24 h) with 13% (2/15) exhibiting complexity. Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had significantly more supraventricular complexes than normal cats (P = 0.0148).ConclusionCats with asymptomatic HCM have more frequent and complex ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias than normal cats but do not have different overall heart rates compared to normal cats. Further studies are needed to determine if these arrhythmias are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death or influence long-term survival.