First cases of animal diseases published since 2000. 2. Cats

In this second article of a series of papers listing first case reports of animal diseases published since 2000, the following nine cases of cat diseases are discussed: Congenital spongiform change in the brain stem nuclei. Enterococcus hirae enteropathy. Focal cerebral angiomatosis. Glomus tumor. Intraocular extramedullary plasmacytoma. Lens epithelial neoplasias. Phaeohyphomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Systemic amyloidosis in a Devon rex. After a short introduction, the bibliographical data, the abstract of the author(s) and some additional information derived from the article are given. The article will be regularly updated adding overlooked as well as new first reports.     

Spontaneous hepatic rupture in six cats with systemic amyloidosis

Spontaneous hepatic rupture, secondary to the accumulation of hepatic amyloid, was diagnosed in six cats over a two-year period. Previous reports of feline hepatic amyloidosis have documented clusters of cases from breeding catteries. Most affected cats have been Siamese or a related breed and the disease is generally regarded as familial. In contrast, the cases presented here were sporadic, with relatives and other cats in the household not clinically affected. They included a Devon rex, a breed not previously reported with this condition, and a domestic shorthair. Clinical signs in three of these cases had, prior to referral, been misinterpreted as resulting from blunt trauma, immune-mediated haemolysis or a coagulopathy. Antemortem diagnostic features, including new data on the value of hepatic ultrasonography and fine-needle aspirate cytology, are reported. These cases illustrate how the course of this disease can vary between individuals and that, despite the dramatic underlying pathology, hepatic amyloidosis can present a diagnostic challenge and should be suspected in any young adult cat with consistent clinical signs, irrespective of breed or environment.     

Swimmer syndrome in a Devon rex kitten and an English bulldog puppy

A three-week-old Devon rex kitten and a four-week-old English bulldog puppy were presented with "swimmer syndrome". The owners consulted several veterinarians who suggested euthanasia as the only possible solution for this condition. Physiotherapy in the puppy, and physiotherapy and bandaging in the kitten led to the resolution of the clinical signs and resulted in normal ambulation after several weeks. The authors concluded that intensive physiotherapy and dedication of the owner can lead to success.     

Hereditary myopathy of Devon rex cats

Six closely related Devon rex cats afflicted with a congenital muscle disease were investigated over a three-year period. Physical findings included passive ventroflexion of the head and neck, dorsal protrusion of the scapulae, megaoesophagus, generalised appendicular weakness and fatigability. Signs became evident at three to 23 weeks of age and then usually progressed slowly or remained static. Plasma levels of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were not elevated. Histological examination of tissues from affected cats showed changes indicative of a primary myopathy, with neither nerve nor spinal cord involvement. Four of the six cats died suddenly of laryngospasm after obstruction of the pharynx or larynx with food.     

Evaluation of 21 426 feline bladder urolith submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre (1998–2014)

This study reports emerging trends in feline urolithiasis in Canada during the past 16.8 y, evaluates associations of breed and gender with urolith types, and reports on feline submissions from outside of Canada. Struvite and calcium oxalate uroliths comprised > 90% of all uroliths submitted. In cats, oxalate submissions outnumbered struvite submissions from Canada, Hong Kong, Denmark, and the United Arab Emirates, while Australian struvite submissions outnumbered calcium oxalate submissions. In Canada, the majority of urolith submissions were from domestic cats followed by Himalayan, Persian, and Siamese cats. Males were more likely to form calcium oxalate uroliths and females were more likely to develop struvite uroliths. Compared to domestic short-haired cats, Tonkinese, Burmese, Devon rex, Himalayan, Persian, and Siamese cats were significantly associated with calcium oxalate urolith submission. Egyptian mau, Birman, ocicat, and Siamese breeds were over-represented amongst urate submissions.     

Reproductive disorders in 10 domestic male cats

This study describes 10 tomcats with different reproductive disorders. Two of the cats had abnormal sex chromosomes; one was a tortoise-shell and white Cornish rex, while the other was a brown Burmese. The other eight cats were diagnosed as having testicular hypoplasia, diphallos in combination with unilateral cryptorchidism, a persistent penile frenulum, retrograde ejaculation, temporary oligozoospermia, teratozoosper-mia, azoospermia and congenital poor libido. For the cat with a persistent penile frenulum, and the cat with a temporary oligozoospermia, the prognosis for successful reproduction was considered favourable. By contrast it was considered unlikely that the cats with chromosomal abnormalities, testicular hypoplasia, diphallos, retrograde ejaculation, teratozoospermia and azoospermia would be able to produce offspring.     

Dermatophytosis and papular eosinophilic/mastocytic dermatitis (urticaria pigmentosa-like dermatitis) in three Devon Rex cats

PRESENTING SIGNS: Three Devon Rex cats were presented with multiple erythematous papules, occasionally associated with crusting and hyperpigmentation, with a linear distribution on the head, neck, chest and abdomen. One cat also had multifocal alopecia with hyperpigmentation on the dorsum. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Clinical and histopathological features were suggestive of papular eosinophilic/mastocytic dermatitis (urticaria pigmentosa-like dermatitis). In all cases, dermatophytosis was diagnosed: in cases 1 and 2 there was histopathological evidence of dermatophytosis, while fungal culture was positive for Microsporum canis in cases 2 and 3. In all cats, lesions disappeared following antifungal treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Papular eosinophilic/mastocytic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats may represent either an atypical presentation of dermatophytosis or a clinical and histological reaction pattern to various diseases, including dermatophytosis and allergic diseases. Clinical differentiation is crucial as there are important implications regarding treatment and, in particular, the use of glucocorticoids, which are contraindicated in cases of dermatophytosis.     

Papular eosinophilic/mastocytic dermatitis (feline urticaria pigmentosa) in Devon Rex cats: A distinct disease entity or a histopathological reaction pattern?

A maculopapular eruption with clinical and histological features similar to those previously described in Sphinx cats under the name of urticaria pigmentosa is reported in five unrelated Devon Rex cats. Physical examination revealed erythematous, occasionally crusted papules, with a bilaterally symmetrical linear distribution on the latero-ventral trunk in two cases and a diffuse distribution on the ventral thorax in the other three cats. One cat also had a greasy seborrhoea on the head and dorsum. Pruritus and pigmented macules were present only in cats affected by secondary bacterial infection. Histological examination of papules in all cats and of the lesional skin of the cat affected by greasy seborrhoea revealed the presence of a perivascular to diffuse mastocytic and eosinophilic infiltrate in the dermis. The mean numbers of nondegranulated and degranulated mast cells per mm(2) were 303.2 and 451.6, respectively. The condition waxed and waned in all cats, and exacerbations were controlled with prednisolone or essential fatty acids.     

地克珠利和鲜尔康对獭兔肝型球虫病的疗效

为验证地克珠利和鲜尔康对兔球虫的治疗效果,对患病幼獭兔进行了流行病学调查、临床诊断和病理剖检及实验室诊断。对确诊为獭兔肝球虫病的427只獭兔用地克珠利(质量浓度为0.002%饮水)和鲜尔康拌料给药,连续使用5d,给药后的15d内有11只死亡,整个兔群的病情好转,治愈率为97.42%。结果证明,用地克株力配合鲜尔康等治疗獭兔肝球虫病效果较好。     

Vitamin K-dependent multifactor coagulopathy in Devon Rex cats

A coagulopathy attributable to a deficiency of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) was diagnosed in 3 Devon Rex cats. There was no evidence for exposure to vitamin-antagonist-related rodenticides. The cats did not have evidence of hepatic disease, gastrointestinal disease, or fat malassimilation. Oral treatment with vitamin K1 resulted in normalization of clotting factor concentrations. However, when treatment was discontinued in 2 cats, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin values became prolonged again, although the cats did not have clinical signs of a bleeding disorder.     

Vitamin A concentrations in commercial foods for dogs and cats

The vitamin A concentration was determined in 89 Australian brands of commercial foods for dogs and cats. It was found that 8% of the dog foods and 14% of the cat foods had concentrations of vitamin A below the minimum recommended 1.1 mg/kg dry matter (dm) for dogs and 1.8 mg/kg dm for pregnant or lactating cats. Canned and fish-labelled cat foods were the only varieties with less than the minimum recommended concentration of Vitamin A, of which 71% were the same brand. The minimum recommended concentration of vitamin A was exceeded in all canned dog food tested. Concentrations of vitamin A in dry (ca. 6% moisture) dog and cat foods and semi-moist dog foods (ca. 23% moisture) never exceeded 10 mg vitamin A/kg dm. In contrast, canned pet foods stated to contain liver or kidney showed vitamin A concentrations from 13 to 284 mg/kg dm.     

Risk factors for feline infectious peritonitis in Australian cats

The objective of this study was to determine whether patient signalment (age, breed, sex and neuter status) is associated with naturally-occurring feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats in Australia. A retrospective comparison of the signalment between cats with confirmed FIP and the general cat population was designed. The patient signalment of 382 FIP confirmed cases were compared with the Companion Animal Register of NSW and the general cat population of Sydney. Younger cats were significantly over-represented among FIP cases. Domestic crossbred, Persian and Himalayan cats were significantly under-represented in the FIP cohort, while several breeds were over-represented, including British Shorthair, Devon Rex and Abyssinian. A significantly higher proportion of male cats had FIP compared with female cats. This study provides further evidence that FIP is a disease primarily of young cats and that significant breed and sex predilections exist in Australia. This opens further avenues to investigate the role of genetic factors in FIP.     

VC-I系獭兔育种初探

用日本大耳白母兔与加利福尼亚公獭兔杂交,其杂种一代母兔再与加利福尼亚公獭兔回交,共繁殖回交一代71只,其中绒毛型兔占42.25％,粗毛型兔占57.75％。将粗毛型兔淘汰,自绒毛型兔中选出理想型公母兔作为基础繁殖群进行横交固定,形成新的獭兔品系VC-I系。VC-I系獭兔(基础群)生长速度及繁殖性能均较纯种獭兔有所提高,毛品质亦保持了纯种獭兔水平。     

八点黑獭兔不同发育时期盲肠组织结构变化的研究

为了研究獭兔不同发育时期盲肠组织结构变化特点,总结其发育规律,采用石蜡切片、HE染色技术,对相同条件下饲养的不同生长阶段(出生后1,15,30,60d)獭兔各6只进行解剖,并在显微镜下观察其盲肠组织结构.结果发现,獭兔盲肠黏膜的单层柱状上皮细胞的高度、杯状细胞的体积都随年龄的增长而变大,半环形皱襞间的距离随着年龄的增长逐渐变小,皱襞的长度和体积也随年龄增长有所增加.此外还发现,随年龄的增长八点黑獭兔盲肠蚓突内的淋巴小结数目明显增多,黏膜下层内的淋巴小结和弥散淋巴组织随年龄增长也越来越多,黏膜皱襞变得密集.     

Recurrent syncope associated with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in a Devon Rex cat diagnosed by implantable loop recorder

A 9-year-old male neutered Devon Rex cat was presented for continued investigations following a 7-year history of recurrent syncope. Previous diagnostic tests, including 24h (Holter) electrocardiographic monitoring, had failed to identify the aetiology of such episodes, and former empirical treatment with atenolol had not provided satisfactory control of the clinical signs. A conclusive diagnosis was eventually achieved using an implantable loop recorder (Reveal), which identified paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) associated with a syncopal episode. Treatment with oral sotalol was instituted and, 18 months after initiation of anti-arrhythmic therapy, no further syncopal episodes have been observed by the cat's owners.     

Rickets caused by excessive renal phosphate loss and apparent abnormal vitamin D metabolism in a cat

Rickets was diagnosed in a 1-year-old cat with a history of weakness, osteopenia, and recurrent fractures. Processes causing rickets include vitamin D deficiency caused by inadequate, nutrition, lack of exposure to sunlight, defective metabolism of parent vitamin D to active metabolites, inherited vitamin D receptor defects, hypoparathyroidism, chronic renal failure, renal loss of phosphate, or malabsorptive states resulting from gastrointestinal or hepatic diseases. On the basis of analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 concentrations, serum biochemical analysis, and urinary fractional clearance of electrolytes, the causes of rickets in our cat, were most compatible with a combination of excessive loss of phosphorus via the kidneys and deficient or abnormal hepatic 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D. Calcifediol treatment and twice daily administration of phosphate salts resulted in clinical improvement and increases in mineralization of the skeleton, as evidenced on radiographic evaluation.     

微量元素硒对獭兔繁殖性能的影响

为了研究微量元素硒水平对獭兔繁殖性能的影响。试验以50只成年獭兔作为研究对象,随机分成五个组,即在每千克饲料中分别添加0 mg、0.09 mg、0.18 mg、0.36 mg、0.72 mg硒,与对照组(0 mg/kg)比较,结果表明每千克饲料中添加0.18 mg的硒对獭兔的繁殖性能影响显著,其中獭兔的受胎率、产仔数及仔兔初生重均较对照组有明显的促进作用,分别较对照组增加3.33%、13.32%、8.7%。     

宠物猫营养生理研究进展

文章综述了宠物猫营养生理的研究进展,涉及猫对蛋白质、氨基酸、脂肪、必需脂肪酸、碳水化合物、维生素和矿物元素的需要量,各种营养元素的生理功能、相互关系,以及猫日粮中营养素缺乏症。     

Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II in a cat

A cat with clinical signs Indicating rickets was diagnosed as having a defect of vitamin D receptors. Clinical signs had been seen from four months of age. Treatment with calcium supplementation and various forms of vitamin D did not alter plasma calcium levels or reverse skeletal lesions of lateral antebrachial bowing, lumbar spinal lordosis and costochondral beading. Analgesics were effective for relieving skeletal pain during the bone growth phase and were withdrawn when the animal reached skeletal maturity. Therapy for hip osteoarthritis was given from five years of age until the cat was euthanased at nine years of age as a result of refractory hip pain.