Feline dental resorptive lesions in the 13th to 14th centuries

The Schild excavation (1971-1975) unearthed 1871 feline bones from at least 181 cats from the town market in medieval Schleswig-Gottorf. Seven of the 189 mandibles and one of the 126 skulls were investigated using a combination of macroscopic, radiographic, and histologic examinations as well as Knoop hardness measurements. The preliminary results of examinations of three mandibles and one skull are presented and reveal that feline dental resorptive lesions were present in cats that lived in a settlement period dating from the 13th and 14th centuries in former Schleswig, Germany.     

Feline infectious peritonitis with spinal cord involvement in two cats.

Two cats from the same household had posterior paresis and hypergammaglobulinemia. Histologic evaluation of the spinal cords revealed a pyogranulomatous reaction consistent with that reported for feline infectious peritonitis.     

Feline immunodeficiency virus infection in a population of pet cats from southeastern Florida

Blood samples from 95 randomly selected pet cats that were brought to veterinarians in southeastern Florida were tested for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Virus-specific antibodies (indicative of virus infection) were found in 8 of the 95 (8.4%) cats tested. All of the virus-infected cats were males (statistically significant, P less than or equal to 0.016) and were at least 1 year of age. The 3 most severely ill cats infected with FIV were also infected with feline leukemia virus.     

Feline leukemia virus-associated myelopathy in cats

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection is associated with distinct neoplastic, hematologic, and immunosuppressive diseases. Here we report on a novel neurologic syndrome in 16 cats infected with FeLV for more than 2 years. Clinical signs consisted of abnormal vocalization, hyperesthesia, and paresis progressing to paralysis. The clinical course of affected cats involved gradually progressive neurologic dysfunction invariably resulting in euthanasia. Microscopically, white-matter degeneration with dilation of myelin sheaths and swollen axons was identified in the spinal cord and brain stem of affected animals. Neither neoplastic nor hematologic diseases commonly associated with FeLV infection were present. Fungal and protozoal infection in one animal was suggestive of impaired immune competence. Immunohistochemical staining of affected tissues revealed consistent expression of FeLV p27 antigens in neurons, endothelial cells, and glial cells. Furthermore, proviral DNA was amplified from multiple sections of spinal cord as well as intestine, spleen, and lymph nodes. These findings suggest that in a proportion of chronically FeLV-infected cats, a virus evolved with cytopathic potential for cells in the central nervous system.     

Feline vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma induced by aluminium compound in two cats: short communication

Two cases of feline vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma (FVAF) are reported. The excised tumours were both characterised as well circumscribed, subcutaneous, firm and white with central necrosis. Histopathologically, they consisted of well-differentiated and variably sized and shaped anaplastic cells, characterised by marked nuclear and cellular pleomorphism including giant cells. The mitotic activity was low. Aluminium was demonstrated in the central necrosis and giant cells. Neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and negative for desmin and cytokeratin. The presence of feline sarcoma virus and feline immunodeficiency virus could not be detected by PCR in either case.     

Feline hippocampal and piriform lobe necrosis as a consequence of severe cluster seizures in two cats in Finland

Feline hippocampal and piriform lobe necrosis (FHN) has been reported from several countries worldwide and is considered an important aetiology for feline epileptic seizures. The aetiology of FHN remains unclear, however it is suspected that FHN might occur secondary to intense epileptic activity as described in humans and dogs although this has not yet been documented in cats. The purpose of our report is to describe the first cases of FHN in Finland diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology. The two cases we describe had a well documented history of pre-existing seizures with normal brain MRI at the onset of cluster seizures but MRI done when the cats exhibited clinical deterioration secondary to severe seizure activity, revealed lesions in the hippocampus and piriform lobes typical of FHN. Our report confirms that feline hippocampus and piriform lobe necrosis does occur in the Finnish cat population and should therefore be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats with seizures. In addition, the presentation, clinical findings, results of MRI and/or histopathology shows that cats may develop FHN secondary to severe seizure activity.     

Feline immunodeficiency virus infection in cats of Japan

A seroepidemiologic survey for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection was conducted in Japan. Between June and December 1987, individual sera (n = 3,323) were submitted by veterinary practitioners from many parts of the country. Specimens were from 1,739 cats with clinical signs suggestive of FIV infection and from 1,584 healthy-appearing cats seen by the same practitioners. The overall FIV infection rate among cats in Japan was 960/3,323 cats (28.9%). The infection rate was more than 3 times higher in the clinically ill cats, compared with that in the healthy cats of the same cohort (43.9 vs 12.4%). Male cats were 1.5 times as likely to be infected as were females. Almost all FIV-infected cats were domestic cats (as opposed to purebred cats). Complete clinical history was available for 700 of 960 FIV-infected cats. Of these 700 FIV-infected cats, 626 (89.4%) were clinically ill, and the remainder did not have clinical signs of disease. The mean age at the time of FIV diagnosis for the 700 cats was 5.2 years, with younger mean age for males (4.9 years) than for females (5.8 years). Most of the infected cats (94.7%) were either allowed to run outdoors or had lived outdoors before being brought into homes. The mortality for FIV-infected cats during the 6 months after diagnosis was 14.7%, and the mean age at the time of death was 5.7 years. Concurrent FeLV infection was seen in 12.4% of the FIV-infected cats, but this was not much different from the historical incidence of FeLV infection in similar groups of cats not infected with FIV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats

Abstract A pruritic maculopapular eruption with clinical and histological features similar to urticaria pigmentosa of humans is reported in three related Sphinx cats. All cats shared the same grandsire, had a juvenile onset of disease, and demonstrated similar historical, clinical and histological findings. Physical examination revealed widespread bilaterally symmetrical, erythematous, partially coalescing, crusted macules and papules on the trunk, limbs, neck and head. A few macules exhibited a dark brown pigmentation. Dermatographism could not be elicited in any of the cats. Histological examination of papules revealed the présence of a perivascular to diffuse dermal and subcutaneous infiltrate of well-differentiated mast cells. In one cat where systemic involvement was pursued, evidence of internal disease was not found. Resumen Se describe en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados una erupción maculopapular pruritica con caracteristicas clinicas e histológicas similares a la urticaria pigmentosa en la especie humana. Todos los gatos compartian el mismo abuelo, desarrollaron la enfermedad en edad juvenil y mostraron hallazgos históricos, clinicos e histológicos similares. El examen fisico mostró pápulas y máculas costrosas, eritematosas, parcialmente unidas, generalizadas, bilaterales y simétricas localizadas en tronco, extremidades, cuello y cabeza. Algunas máculas mostraban una pigmentación marronácea oscura. No pudo provocarse dermatografismo en ninguno de los gatos. El examen histológico de las pápulas mostró la presencia de un infiltrado dérmico y subcutáneo perivascular a difuso compuesto por mastocitos bien diferenciados. No se encontró enfermedad sistémica en un animal en el que se evaluó esta posibilidad. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaria pigmentosa felina en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.] Résumé Les auteurs décrivent chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentés une eruption maculopapuleuse présentant des similitudes cliniques et histologiques avec l'urticaire pigmentaire humaine. Les 3 chats ont le même grandpère, présentent une apparition précoce des symptômes, et, une anamnèse, une clinique et une histologie similaires. L'examen clinique révèle des macules et des papules croûteuses à large distribution bilatérale et symétrique, érythèmateuses, partiellement coalescentes, sur le tronc, les membres, le cou et la tête. Quelques macules montrent une pigmentation brun foncé. La présence d'un dermographisme n'a pu être démontré chez aucun des chats. L'examen histologique des papules révèle la présence d'un infiltrat dermique et sous cutané périvasculaire à diffus de mastocytes bien différenciés. La recherche d'une atteinte systémique chez un des chats n'a pas montré d'atteinte interne. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaire pigmentaire féline chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentés.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.] Zusammenfassung Es wird über eine juckende makulopapuläre Eruption mit klinischen und histologischen Befunden, die der Urticaria pigmentosa des Menschen ähneln, bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen berichtet. Alle Katzen hatten den selben Großvater, zeigten einen Krankheitsbeginn im Jugendalter und wiesen ähnliche Befunde in der Vorgeschichte, Klinik und Histologie auf. Die klinische Untersuchung zeigte weit verteilte, bilateral symmetrische, erythematöse, teilweise koaleszierende verkrustete Maculae und Papeln am Rumpf, Gliedmaßen, Hais und Kopf. Einige maculae wiesen eine dunkelbraune Pigmentierung auf. Dermatographismus konnte bei keiner der Katzen ausgelöst werden. Die histologische Untersuchung der Papeln zeigte die Anwesenheit eines perivaskulären bis diffusen dermalen und subkutanen Infiltrates von gut differenzierten Mastzellen. Bei einer Katze mit systemischen Erscheinungen konnte die Ursache der inneren Erkrankung nicht gefunden werden. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats (Feline Urticaria pigmentosa bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.]     

Feline leukemia virus-induced thrombocytopenia and macrothrombocytosis in cats

The Kawakami-Theilen strain of feline leukemia virus (FeLV-KT), an exogenous anemia-inducing retrovirus, induced significant macrothrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia during acute infections of cats. The geometric mean platelet volumes of both freshly isolated fixed platelets and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-sphered platelets from infected cats were increased, but the ratio of fresh-fixed to ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-sphered platelet volumes, an estimate of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-induced isovolumetric shape change, was normal. Total plasma membrane increased as the platelet volumes increased in FeLV-KT-infected cats, but estimated surface connected canalicular system surface area did not. Platelet concentrations were decreased 2 to 6 weeks after inoculation, but marked macrothrombocytosis resulted in a trend toward increased platelet mass on weeks 5 and 6 after inoculation. Thus, FeLV-KT-induced macrothrombocytosis may serve as a model of impaired platelet volume regulation. The platelet volume and platelet membrane surface area abnormalities found suggest that this model would allow studies of the megakaryocyte/platelet axis, particularly in the area of membrane formation and territorial demarcation.     

Feline leukaemia virus: Half a century since its discovery

In the early 1960s, Professor William (Bill) F.H. Jarrett was presented with a time–space cluster of cats with lymphoma identified by a local veterinary practitioner, Harry Pfaff, and carried out experiments to find if the condition might be caused by a virus, similar to lymphomas noted previously in poultry and mice. In 1964, the transmission of lymphoma in cats and the presence of virus-like particles that resembled ‘the virus of murine leukaemias’ in the induced tumours were reported in Nature. These seminal studies initiated research on feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and launched the field of feline retrovirology. This review article considers the way in which some of the key early observations made by Bill Jarrett and his coworkers have developed in subsequent years and discusses progress that has been made in the field since FeLV was first discovered.