A case of feline pancreatitis

A 14-year-old, spayed female, domestic shorthair cat was referred to us with anorexia, pyrexia, and jaundice. Total bilirubin (TBIL) and feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) levels were remarkably high. Based on laparoscopic biopsy of the pancreas, the cat was diagnosed as having pancreatitis. As a result of treatment with a synthetic protease inhibitor and corticosteroid, the TBIL and fTLI values returned to normal and the clinical course was good.     

A case of feline sporotrichosis

We excised surgically a feline granulomatous lesion and performed histopathological, mycological and molecular examinations. As a result, it was diagnosed as sporotrichosis, which was the second recorded case of a cat so afflicted in Japan. After the operation, we recognized another nodule on the lymph node. Histopathological examination was therefore performed, but no fungi were detected. To prevent recurrence, the cat was administered a antimycotic drug, itraconazole. As a result, no recurrence was found. Excision of the lesion is the treatment of choice for feline sporotrichosis.     

Biclonal gammopathy associated with immunoglobulin A in a dog with multiple myeloma

A 10-year-old neutered male Airedale Terrier was evaluated for inappetance, weight loss, and lameness. Multiple myeloma was diagnosed based on bone marrow plasmacytosis, multiple lytic bone lesions, and hyperglobulinemia with a clonal gammopathy on serum protein electrophoresis. Splenic plasmacytosis, and retinal lesions consistent with hyperviscosity syndrome also were found. Temporary responses to 2 different chemotherapy protocols (melphalan and prednisone, and cyclophosphamide and prednisone) were seen, with remission of clinical signs and a decrease in the biclonal gammopathy but no resolution of the splenic mass. Eventual return of clinical signs led to euthanasia at 175 days postdiagnosis. Necropsy examination confirmed multiple myeloma involving bone marrow and spleen, and glomerulonephritis. An immunoglobulin-A (IgA) gammopathy was demonstrated by immunoelectrophoresis; biclonality was ascertained by immunofixation electrophoresis. The clonal components consisted of intact Ig with a heavy chain of the a class and a light chain of undetermined class. To our knowledge, this is the first report of undimerized biclonal gammopathy in a dog caused by a single heavy chain class involving IgA.     

A suspected case of feline dysautonomia

Abstract

Extract

Madam: — The purpose of this letter is to describe a case seen in our Levin Clinic which has many of the features characteristic of feline dysautonomia - the Key-Gaskell syndrome. Information on the history, clinical signs, pathology and treatment of the condition are given by Jones and Lee. ⁽⁴⁾ Jones, B.R. and Lee, E.A. 1985. Feline dysautonomia - the Key-Gaskell syndrome. N.Z. vet. J., 33: 58–58. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar](     

A case of feline primary hypoadrenocorticism

A 2-year-old entire female British Shorthair cat was referred to the University of Bristol for investigation of lethargy, weakness, constipation and hypothermia. Clinical examination revealed a profoundly weak, hypovolaemic and hypothermic cat. Serum biochemistry revealed hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphataemia and the urine was isosthenuric. Lack of response to exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone confirmed a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. Treatment consisted initially of intravenous fluid therapy and subsequently a combination of fludrocortisone and prednisolone per os. At follow-up, 20 months after the initial diagnosis the cat remained stable and free of clinical signs.     

Risk factors associated with feline urolithiasis

Urinary tract diseases are among the main reasons for consultation in veterinary clinics and hospitals. It affects animals of any age, breed and gender. Among the diseases that affect this system, urolithiasis is the second largest cause of clinical signs compatible with feline urinary tract disease. The term urolithiasis refers to the presence of uroliths in any region of the urinary tract, but it is more commonly seen in the bladder and urethra. Uroliths are classified based on the type of mineral present in their composition, therefore, quantitative and qualitative analyzes are important for a better therapeutic approach. The animals may suffer from the disease and be asymptomatic, or show nonspecific clinical signs, making the diagnosis difficult. The disease should not be seen as a single problem, but as a consequence of various disorders. As dietary, metabolic, genetic and infectious causes, as well as factors that potentiate the chance of development of uroliths such as breed, age, sex, age range, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, geographic region and climate. Thus, the knowledge of the factors that influence the formation of uroliths, as well as the understanding of the pathophysiology, are key elements for better alternatives of therapy and prevention. The recognition of these factors helps to identify susceptible populations, minimizing exposure and increasing the protection factors, which facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of patients with urolithiasis. The objective of this paper is to present the main risk factors involved in the formation of urinary lithiasis in felines.     

A feline case of isolated fourth ventricle with syringomyelia suspected to be related with feline infectious peritonitis

A one-year-old female cat was unable to stand. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and an enlargement of the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles and syringomyelia were detected. The cat was diagnosed with an isolated fourth ventricle (IFV) with syringomyelia. The serum isoantibody test for the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus was 1:3,200. After the cat died, a pathological examination revealed nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis. We suspected that the IFV, detected in the cat, was associated with FIP encephalomyelitis. To our knowledge, there has been no report on IFV in veterinary medicine.     

A case of feline paraneoplastic alopecia with secondary Malossezia-associated dermatitis

A 13-year-old neutered female domestic shorthaired cat had progressive ventral abdominal alopecia attributed initially to hyperthyroidism. Corrective treatment by unilateral thyroidectomy did not, however, resolve the dermatosis and the alopecia progressed to involve the whole ventral trunk, the lower limbs and the head. Pruritus of the lower limbs was a prominent feature and was associated with the finding of Malassezia on cytology; Malassezia -associated dermatitis was diagnosed. Resolution of pruritus was seen after treatment with oral ketoconazole and a cleansing shampoo to eliminate the yeast, but severe polyphagia, small intestinal diarrhoea and polydipsia developed subsequently and the cat was euthanased. Necropsy revealed an exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma with hepatic metastases. The pancreatic, hepatic and dermatologlcal lesions were found to be typical of feline paraneoplastic alopecia (FPA). Malassezia -associated dermatitis can be associated with pruritus in cats with FPA.     

An unusual case of feline leukemia and an associated syncytium-forming virus.

A 3-year-old female Siamese cat was admitted to a local animal hospital with a history of recent extreme lethargy and anorexia. A hemorrhagic tumor was removed from an area of oral buccal skin and diagnosed histopathologically as lymphosarcoma. Rapid physical deterioration occurred, and the cat became moribund 2 weeks after surgical operation. Necropsy revealed at least 200 spherical hemorrhagic neoplastic nodules attached to the omentum, mesentery, and peritoneum. Examination of histopathologic sections confirmed the striking characteristics of an extremely vascular and highly invasive malignant lymphoma, which was designated feline tumor No. 01 (FeT-01). There was no evidence of peripheral blood leukemia. Electron microscopic examination of tumor tissue revealed numerous viral particles having characteristics common to both feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline syncytium-forming virus (FeSFV). Primary cells and cultures propagated from tumor tissue were found to be negative or weakly positive for group-specific (gs) antigen by radioimmunoassay but strongly positive when assayed by indirect immunofluorescence. Co-cultivation of cells from tumor tissue, with normal prescreened feline embryo cells, revealed the presence of numerous FeSFV-like viral particles in the absence of C-type virus. A FeSFV was isolated from these passaged cells, with characteristics similar to FeSFV isolates previously described in the literature. The apparent presence of FeSFV in lymphosarcomatous tissue and the apparent absence of FeLV C-type particles in passaged cells indicate the need to make a more intensive study of the FeSFV group of viruses and the possible etiologic relationship to feline malignancies.     

Viruses associated with feline respiratory disease in Dunedin

Extract

In Dunedin, feline respiratory infections with a high morbidity, but a low mortality except in very young animals, commonly occur in epizootics and appear to be enzootic between these outbreaks. The affected animals develop a serous ocular discharge which later becomes mucoid, and a mucoid nasal discharge associated with sneezing especially after handling. While these signs of infection are present, the animals are anorexic and listless. The disease may last for two weeks or more and sometimes affected cats develop a chronic snuffle lasting for months despite treatment. The disease is usually referred to as “snuffles”, although it is probably identical with the syndrome called “rhinotracheitis”. In the summer time, it commonly occurs in boarding establishments where large numbers of pets collected from a wide area are left by summer vacationers. In breeding catteries, infections occur most often in the spring and especially at the time of the first warm weather. Young kittens about 5 to 10 days old are usually affected but kittens which escape infection at this stage not infrequently develop symptoms at about 6 weeks of age.     

Treatment of a case of refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis with feline recombinant interferon omega

Chronic gingivostomatitis is a common debilitating disease in cats, which is often refractory to medical and surgical treatment. An eight-year-old, neutered female domestic shorthair cat with a history of gingivitis was presented with chronic gingivostomatitis. Initial treatment by extraction of all premolars and molars was unsuccessful. However, the condition resolved within six weeks of treatment with feline recombinant interferon omega (Virbagen; Virbac).     

Anemia associated with feline leukemia virus infection.

One hundred feline leukemia virus-positive cats with evidence of anemia were examined to determine characteristics of the anemia. The anemia was usually normochromic and normocytic, with low reticulocyte counts but with normal white blood cell and platelet counts. About one third of the cats had splenomegaly. The bone marrow was usually hypocellular or normally cellular, with an increased myeloid to erythroid ratio. A history of recent stress or infection in many cases indicated that the immunosuppressive effect of feline leukemia virus may have been involved. Supportive treatment with periodic blood transfusions was successful in prolonging survival. Corticosteroids and androgens may have been beneficial in some cases.     

A case of feline phaeohyphomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi

The first report of a case of feline phaeohyphomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi is presented. Fonsecaea pedrosoi is an aetiologic agent of both human phaeohyphomycosis and chromoblastomycosis. In our cat, the lesion was confined to the skin and appeared as a firm swelling on the bridge of the nose. Diagnosis was based on histological examination of a cutaneous biopsy and fungal culture of a tissue sample on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. Further diagnostic tests failed to reveal an underlying immunosuppression. Two treatment cycles with itraconazole, at the oral dose of 5 mg kg-1 given twice daily, induced complete clinical remission, but relapses occurred.